S&P Global Ratings on Dec. 18 assigned U.K.-based Citadel Securities (Europe) Ltd. BBB/A-2 long- and short-term issuer credit ratings, with a stable outlook on the long-term rating.

S&P said the ratings reflect that the company is a core subsidiary of Citadel Securities, and that its parent will likely support it under any foreseeable circumstances.

Meanwhile, S&P said the stable outlook reflects the stability of the group credit profile, along with the agency's expectation that Citadel Securities will remain a leading and strongly capitalized global market maker while delivering profitability above those of its peers, as well as S&P's belief that it is unlikely to change the unit's core status in the foreseeable future.