CMB Downgraded

KBC Securities downgraded its rating on Belgian shipping company CMB SA to "accumulate", due to various factors which could pressure its business. "We have decided to downgrade CMB to 'accumulate' against the background of weakening economies, lower crude output and gradually declining shipping rates," KBC said in a research note. "We still expect CMB to post a strong 2001, but we do not see the share outperforming the market the way it has done over 2000." - (Reuters)