Accounting changes help Freddie Mac 1Q beat views - AP - 2 hours, 26 minutes ago
Freddie Mac beat Wall Street's expectations in the first quarter, but the mortgage finance company didn't vanquish concerns about its ability to weather the housing bust.

Moody's lowers Six Flags default rating - AP - Wed 6:31 pm ET
Moody's Investors Service on Wednesday lowered its probability of default rating on theme park operator Six Flags Inc., citing the company's offer to swap certain senior notes for ones with lengthier payback dates.

Fitch U.S. Muni Surveillance: Various Cape Coral, Florida Credits Affirmed; Outlook to Negative - Business Wire - Wed 6:23 pm ET
NEW YORK----In the course of routine surveillance, Fitch Ratings affirms the 'A+' rating on the city of Cape Coral, Florida's approximately $3.0 million in outstanding general obligation bonds, series 2003A, the 'A' rating on the approximately $200 million in outstanding water and sewer revenue bonds, and the 'A-' rating on the approximately $167.4M in outstanding wastewater and irrigation water assessment bonds.

Fitch Rates Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare (Illinois) $250MM Series 2008B-E VRDBs 'AA-/F1+' - Business Wire - Wed 6:04 pm ET
NEW YORK----Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AA-/F1+'rating to the Illinois Finance Authority variable rate demand revenue bonds as follows:

Fitch Rates Calallen ISD, Texas $48MM GOs 'AAA' PSF/'A+' Underlying - Business Wire - Wed 6:00 pm ET
AUSTIN, Texas----Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AAA' rating to the Calallen Independent School District, Texas' approximately $43.7 million unlimited tax school building bonds, series 2008, and $4.4 million unlimited tax refunding bonds, series 2008.

Fitch Rates State of Maine $102.7MM GOs 'AA' - Business Wire - Wed 5:41 pm ET
NEW YORK----Fitch Ratings assigns a rating of 'AA' to approximately $102,700,000 State of Maine general obligation bonds expected by negotiation the week of May 19. The bonds are due May 15, 2009-2018.

Moody's cuts Alaska Air credit outlook to negative - AP - Wed 5:28 pm ET
Moody's Investors Service suggested Wednesday it may cut Alaska Air Group Inc.'s credit rating amid concerns about fuel costs and the economy.