...+ U.S. telecommunications provider Windstream Holdings Inc.'s long term business prospects remain weak, in our view, due to secular industry pressures notwithstanding the potential for modest near term improvement in quarterly operating and financial trends due to synergies and cost reductions. + As a result, we are lowering our corporate credit rating on Windstream Holdings Inc. to 'B-' from 'B'. + At the same time, we are lowering the rating on wholly owned subsidiaries Windstream Services LLC's and Windstream Holding of the Midwest Inc.'s senior secured debt to 'B+' from '##-'. + We are also lowering the rating on Windstream Services' senior unsecured debt to '###' from 'B-'. + The negative outlook reflects ongoing secular industry pressure that is contributing to declining revenue and cash flow, which we believe will make it difficult for Windstream to reduce leverage over the foreseeable future. Additionally, the negative outlook incorporates our view that Windstream's capital structure...
