HOUSTON, Nov. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation ("Great Lakes" or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GLDD), the largest provider of dredging services in the United States, announced today that the Company’s issuer credit rating has been upgraded to “B” from “B-” by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) with the outlook remaining stable. S&P based its ratings upgrade in part due to the Company’s improved revenues, earnings and expanding margins along with decreasing capital expenditures that wil ...

Core Viewpoint - Fitch has upgraded Intesa Sanpaolo's credit rating by two notches to A-, marking the first time the Group is rated above Italy's sovereign rating, indicating its exceptional strength in the banking sector [2][3]. Group 1: Credit Rating Upgrade - The Long-Term Issuer Default Rating was lifted from BBB to A- and the Viability Rating from bbb to a- [2]. - This upgrade signifies that Intesa Sanpaolo is recognized as a strong performer relative to its domestic peers and European banks [3]. Group 2: Business Model and Profitability - Fitch highlights Intesa Sanpaolo's diversified business model, strong profitability, and capital flexibility as key strengths [3]. - The bank is expected to maintain profitability above the average of large European banks in the coming years [3]. Group 3: Resilience and Market Position - Intesa Sanpaolo is viewed as a safe haven during sovereign stress, with resilient performance anticipated even as interest rates decline [3]. - The bank's dominant domestic franchise and diversified products are expected to mitigate pressures during severe stress on the Italian sovereign [3]. Group 4: Management and Strategy - The upgrade reflects the strength of management's execution and the constructive dialogue maintained with Fitch over the past year [3]. - It serves as a validation of Intesa Sanpaolo's strategy focused on resilience, profitability, and diversification, positioning it among Europe's top-tier banks while ensuring strong shareholder returns [3].

Core Insights - Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. has completed a sale-leaseback transaction of three properties for approximately $150 million in gross proceeds, with terms similar to previous transactions [1] - S&P Global Ratings upgraded the Company's issuer credit rating to 'BB-' from 'B+' due to strong operating performance, growth in memberships, and reduced leverage [2] - Following the ratings upgrade, Life Time's credit facility margin improved by 25 basis points, resulting in an effective interest rate of 5.659% for the Company's term loan facility [3] Financial Strategy - The Company plans to execute a minimum of $100 million in additional sale-leasebacks over the remainder of 2025, enhancing its ability to advance a robust club pipeline while focusing on capital efficiency and financial health [4] - The recent sale-leaseback transaction and reduced cost of debt are expected to support the Company's financial strategy [4] Company Overview - Life Time operates more than 180 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada, offering a comprehensive health and wellness ecosystem [4] - The Company serves a diverse demographic, promoting healthy living and aging through various programs and trusted nutritional products [4] - Life Time has been certified as a Great Place to Work®, highlighting its commitment to workplace culture for its over 43,000 team members [4]

Core Viewpoint - Fitch Ratings has upgraded the outlook of UBS Group AG to Positive from Stable, affirming its long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A' and UBS AG's and UBS Switzerland AG's at 'A+' due to the successful integration of Credit Suisse and expected improvements in profitability [1][2]. Group 1: Integration and Execution Risk - Execution risk for UBS is expected to decline as the integration of Credit Suisse progresses, with minimal residual risk anticipated after client migration and system decommissioning, expected to be completed by the end of 2026 [2]. - UBS has effectively managed integration risks over the past two years, preventing operational disruptions and maintaining a prudent risk culture, with the wind-down of non-core assets ahead of schedule [3]. Group 2: Business Model and Profitability - The integration of Credit Suisse is projected to enhance UBS's business model by increasing scale and diversifying revenue, supporting its strategy and leadership in global wealth management [4]. - Fitch anticipates UBS's profitability will recover to pre-acquisition levels by 2026, with the operating profit/risk-weighted assets ratio expected to rise from 0.2% in 2023 to 2.5% in 2026 and 3% in 2027 [5]. Group 3: Financial Strength and Stability - UBS's capital position remains robust, with a CET1 ratio expected to exceed the medium-term guidance of 14% until integration completion, and it maintains one of the highest Basel leverage ratios among European banks [6]. - The liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) was reported at 181% in Q1 2025, indicating a stable funding profile [6]. Group 4: Risk Management - UBS is expected to continue effectively managing integration risks, ensuring stable operations and minimizing disruptions, with a loans-to-deposits ratio improving to 83% in Q1 2025 [7]. - The bank's low impaired loans ratio of close to 1% reflects its prudent risk culture, significantly better than its European peers [7]. Group 5: Overall Outlook - The Positive Outlook from Fitch indicates expectations for UBS to restore profitability to pre-acquisition levels while maintaining strong asset quality, solid capital, and resilient funding [8]. - UBS's successful integration of Credit Suisse is anticipated to durably strengthen its business model, reinforcing its leading position in global wealth management [8].