S&P

S&P noted volume growth and solid operating margins at the large Florida-based healthcare system.

S&P Global Ratings primarily cited a "precipitous decline" in unrestricted cash to explain its triple-notch downgrade of the system.

S&P cited the government's improved fiscal position as a factor in the positive outlook.

The ratings agency cited strong and growing activity and favorable economic trends in the region.

Wittstruck takes over the S&P role previously held by Robin Prunty, who retired in August.

S&P Global Ratings placed more than 400 state and local government issuers under criteria observation as the agency adopts an updated rating methodology.

Robin Prunty, who retired Aug. 31 as S&P's chief analytical officer for governments, took on a role on its U.S. board the next day.

"We withdrew the rating because we have determined we do not have sufficient information to maintain a forward-looking credit opinion on the city," S&P said.

The criteria should result in a nearly equal number of upgrades and downgrades in the next half year, according to the rating agency.

"The upgrades incorporate our view of New Hampshire's improved economic and demographic growth trends that continue to perform near or above those of the U.S. and regional peers," said analyst Thomas Zemetis.