Fitch Ratings affirmed its "BBB" rating on Gary, Ind.-based The Methodist Hospitals' series 2014A revenue refunding bonds and assigned its "BBB" issuer default rating to the health system.
Concurrently, Fitch removed the bonds from rating watch positive and revised the outlook to negative. The negative outlook is a result of The Methodist Hospitals' weakening operating profitability in fiscal year 2017 and in fiscal year 2018 year to date.
The affirmation and assignment are based on The Methodist Hospitals' low leverage position and leading market position.