Oct 13 (Reuters) - Credit rating agency Moody's Ratings

changed European automaker Stellantis' ( STLA ) ratings

outlook to negative on Monday, though maintained its current

ratings.

In their Monday report, Moody's analysts outlined the financial

risks facing the owner of Chrysler, Fiat, Jeep and other car

brands.

The report highlighted Stellantis's ( STLA ) weak operating

performance, as well as whether and how much the company could

see its profitability and free cash flow generation recover.

Analysts also pointed to the automaker's declining market share

since the start of 2024, as auto dealers have reduced their

inventories, demand for various brand models has dipped, and the

company has experienced delays in new product launches.

"Additionally, challenging market conditions in Europe and

the impact of U.S. import tariffs have further pressured

profitability and cash flow," the Moody's analysts wrote.

The rating agency stopped short of actually downgrading

Stellantis's ( STLA ) ratings, citing among other things the automaker's

weakening but still-strong liquidity profile and its resilient

global scale.

Stellantis ( STLA ) holds an issuer-level Moody's rating of Baa2,

which is on the lower end of the investment-grade ratings

spectrum.