Moody's Glum on Mercy

Moody’s Investors Service has revised its outlook on Mercy Hospital’s A2 rating to negative from stable due to a decline in operating performance.

The review came ahead of the the Iowa system’s  planned $44.5 million issuance this week. The action affects $82.4 million of debt.

The hospital benefits from a strong market position in a demographically favorable service area of Iowa City and surrounding counties, growth in its already very strong liquidity, and maintenance of adequate debt-service coverage.

“The outlook revision to negative from stable reflects the decline in operating performance of this small-sized system ... the inability to return the operating cash-flow margin to previous levels would pressure the rating,” Moody’s wrote.

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Healthcare industry Iowa
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