...Outlooks Broadly Stable: Twenty five of 29 sectors within U.S. Corporates have stable sector outlooks, meaning industry fundamentals are stable. Almost four-fifths (78%) of Fitch Ratings' U.S. corporates ratings have a stable outlook, and ratings with negative outlooks/watches and positive outlooks/watches each represent 11% of Fitch's U.S. corporates rating universe. Solid Economic Growth Forecast: Fitch forecasts the U.S. economy to grow 3.1% in 2015 and 3.0% in 2016. Private consumption will be a key growth driver, supported by higher household disposable income and a strengthening labor market. Oil price declines have translated to lower prices at the pump which reduces costs to consumers, allowing them to purchase other goods. Corporate Profitability Continues To Improve: The median EBITDA margin for Fitch's rated portfolio has steadily increased for the past several years and is forecast to continue to grow. Median FCF is forecast to increase due to FFO growth from expanded EBITDA...
