Fitch Ratings upgraded Cape Girardeau, Mo.-based St. Francis Healthcare System's rating to "AA" from "AA-," affecting $139.3 million of debt. Concurrently, Fitch assigned the health system its "AA" issuer default rating.
The upgrade and assignment are based on several factors, including the health system's leading market share, strong operating profitability, excellent liquidity measures and low capital spending requirements. Fitch unfavorably viewed the health system's unfavorable payer mix.
The outlook is stable.