The oil slump has created opportunities for lawyers and bankers. Photo: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg News The ranks of financially stressed companies have swelled to a 4½-year high as the sharp drop in oil prices batters energy companies. The number of companies with the worst below-investment-grade debt ratings rose to 184 in February, the highest count since November 2010, and remained at that level in March, according to Moody’s Investors Service. That is a 16% increase over March 2014. The 25 oil-and-gas and oil-services companies listed accounted for 13.6% of the total this month, their highest share ever. Moody’s tally of stressed companies includes only U.S. nonfinancial firms rated B3 with a negative outlook for future ratings changes or lower. The B3 rating is six notches into junk territory. “If this trend increases, we might see more defaults in the energy sector,” said Julia […]