Which of the following things about bond ratings is true?

A.

A bond is considered a "junk bond" only if it falls below a "B" rating

B.

Bond rating agencies are free of any conflicts of interest when determining their ratings

C.

Investors used to pay rating agencies to produce reports, but since information is easier to share among investors in the modern age of technology, now the rating agencies are paid directly by the companies they are rating

D.

There is only one company that issues corporate bond ratings in the U.S.