As of December 2008, the company’s gross debt was $8.3 billion, including $2.1 billion in debt owed to outside investors. The remaining $6.2 billion was internal debt.
Nonetheless, Fidelity spokeswoman Anne Crowley told The Wall Street Journal the downgrade and the debt levels are not a concern since the company is “on solid financial footing” with a “very strong balance sheet” and continued plans to “invest significantly to further develop our businesses.”