Moody's upgrades University of West Alabama's (AL) ratings to A3 from Baa1; outlook stable

University Of West Alabama, AL: Update to credit analysis - Credit Opinion – 2024/03/01 – US$ 250.00 – ...*Assumes stable foundation cash and investments between FY22 and FY23. Foundation data unaudited for FY23. Source: Moody's Investors Service...

University of West Alabama, AL: Update to credit analysis following upgrade to A3 - Credit Opinion – 2022/04/15 – US$ 250.00 – ...The University of West Alabama's (A3 stable issuer rating) credit profile incorporates its notably improved financial position due to sustained traction in operations from its strategic investment in program development and enrollment growth, increased wealth and liquidity, and steadily rising operating and capital support from the State of Alabama (Aa1 stable issuer rating). Improvements in fiscal oversight and reporting and management's credibility in identifying and addressing market challenges are primary drivers of the rating change. These factors support good debt service coverage and continued growth in unrestricted liquidity. UWA holds a regionally important role in the provision of education in west Alabama. Offsetting challenges include a growing reliance on online students pursuing graduate education degrees, an area that is exposed to high competition and shifting customer preferences. Other enrollment pressures include increased reliance on partnerships to achieve revenue growth,...

University Of West Alabama, AL: Update to credit analysis following revision of outlook to stable - Credit Opinion – 2020/02/10 – US$ 250.00 – ...The University of West Alabama (Baa1 stable) will continue to serve a regionally relevant role as a public university in the State of Alabama (Aa1 stable), with modestly increasing state appropriations. Consecutive years of large enrollment growth reflect some initial success from the university's new online strategy to offset declines in the university's traditional core student population. However, with an increasingly large contingent of graduate online students, the university faces social risk as it remains vulnerable to fluctuations in demand for this volatile market segment. Favorably, fiscal 2018 and unaudited fiscal 2019 results show improved operating performance and cash flow for materially better debt service coverage. Additionally, the university reports a second year of liquidity growth in fiscal 2019, following a multi-year period of decline. Sustained improvements in the university's operating performance remain dependent on stronger fiscal oversight and continued revenue...

Moody's assigns Baa1 to University of West Alabama's (AL) Series 2020 bonds; outlook revised to stable - Rating Action – 2020/02/10 – US$ 180.00 – ...ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY ANY PERSON AS A BENCHMARK AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES AND MUST NOT BE USED IN ANY WAY THAT COULD RESULT IN THEM BEING CONSIDERED A BENCHMARK. All information contained herein is obtained by MOODY'S from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error as well as other factors, however, all information contained herein is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind. MOODY'S adopts all necessary measures so that the information it uses in assigning a credit rating is of sufficient quality and from sources MOODY'S considers to be reliable including, when appropriate, independent third-party sources. However, MOODY'S is not an auditor and cannot in every instance independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing its Publications. To the extent permitted by law, MOODY'S and its directors, officers,...

University of West Alabama, AL: Update to credit analysis - Credit Opinion – 2018/11/07 – US$ 250.00 – ...The University of West Alabama (Baa1 negative) will continue to serve a regionally relevant role as a public university in the State of Alabama (Aa1 stable), with modestly increasing state appropriations. Following an approximately 18% jump in fall 2017 enrollment, the university reported additional 12% growth in enrollment for fall 2018 driven by further increases in its online student population. Consecutive years of large enrollment growth reflect some initial success from the university's new recruiting partnerships. However, with an increasingly large contingent of graduate online students, the university remains vulnerable to fluctuations in demand for this volatile market segment. Although management's preliminary fiscal 2018 results project slightly improved operating performance, cash flow margins will likely remain insufficient to cover debt service. Consequently, liquidity has softened but remains adequate given the university's conservative debt structure. Sustained improvements...

Moody's assigns Baa1 to University of West Alabama's (AL) Series 2018 bonds; outlook negative - Rating Action – 2018/11/05 – US$ 180.00 – ...MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY RETAIL INVESTORS AND IT WOULD BE RECKLESS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR RETAIL INVESTORS TO USE MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS OR MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS WHEN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. IF IN DOUBT YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISER. ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROTECTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COPYRIGHT LAW, AND NONE OF SUCH INFORMATION MAY BE COPIED OR OTHERWISE REPRODUCED, REPACKAGED, FURTHER TRANSMITTED, TRANSFERRED, DISSEMINATED, REDISTRIBUTED OR RESOLD, OR STORED FOR SUBSEQUENT USE FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY FORM OR MANNER OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODY'S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT. CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY ANY PERSON AS A BENCHMARK AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES AND MUST NOT BE USED IN ANY WAY THAT COULD RESULT IN THEM BEING CONSIDERED A BENCHMARK. All information contained...