1.   P uses to determine bond ratings.

2.   Analysts who attended the meeting said the Davis visit was productive, though not likely to produce any immediate change in equity recommendations or bond ratings.

3.   Blum said hospital administrators should use some of that reserve to make up for operating losses, rather than focus solely on mainting a bond rating.

4.   A low bond rating rules out any possibility of tapping the credit markets.

5.   A raised bond rating can help a company reduce its borrowing costs.

6.   All cuts will be made with an eye toward preserving the bond rating, administration officials said.

7.   By lowering the overall amount of authorized debt, officials say, Texas could earn a better bond rating and eventually get lower interest rates from lenders.

8.   Corporate credit quality, as measured by changes in bond ratings, appears to be better than ever.

9.   Disney guaranteed the bond repayments with its corporate bond rating, enabling the city to repay the bonds at a lower interest rate than had otherwise been possible.

10.   Farmland also saw its bond rating downgraded during the year, and laid off employees to cut costs.