Upgrades for U.S. public finance rating revisions outpaced downgrades in the fourth quarter of 2014 for the first time since 2008, according to Moody's Investors Service.
During the fourth quarter, the healthcare sector, along with the housing, states and infrastructure sectors, saw upgrades exceed downgrades.
Consolidation among nonprofit hospitals was the force behind the upgrades in the healthcare sector for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, according to Moody's.
However, for the full year, downgrades exceeded upgrades in the healthcare sector, according to Moody's. In 2014, there were 37 downgrades and only 28 upgrades.
Continuing the trend, Moody's expects hospital upgrades to be outpaced by hospital downgrades in 2015 as "revenue sources will be pressured," according to the report.
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