Market regulator Sebi today asked credit rating agencies (CRAs) to adopt standard symbols and definitions devised by it within four months, a move that will help investors to better understand financial health of firms.

"It has been felt that there need to be common rating symbols and definitions for easy understanding...by investors and to achieve high standards of integrity and fairness in ratings," Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said.

Currently, CRAs registered with Sebi use different rating symbols and definitions.

The regulator has devised standard symbols and their definitions for long and short term debt instruments, structured finance instruments and mutual funds schemes. It has been done in consultation with CRAs and in line with international practices.

"The new symbols and definitions...(PTI)