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The number of retailers and apparel firms in distress in the United States has tripled to 19 in the last six years, reports Moody's Investors Service in a new report Monday.

The credit rating agency finds 14% of the 141 companies in the sector it covers are officially in distress -- almost as high as the 16% peak during the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009 -- and the number is expected to grow. These are companies rated Caa through Ca, the rating tier just above default.