GARY – Fitch Ratings, one of the three major credit rating agencies, has upgraded Methodist Hospitals‘ bond issues to BBB- from BB+. The ratings agency cited Methodist’s consecutive years of improving profitability, consistent and healthy liquidity, effective expense control and improving medical staff stability as reasons for the upgrade.
In 2010 Methodist Hospitals has a 1.9 percent operating margin and 10 percent operating ENITDA, which compare favorably with Fitch’s BBB medians of 1.7 percent and 8.l5 percent respectively.
Methodist’s total revenue in 2010 was $289.9 million, and it’s expected 2011 results will exceed that.
