S&P Global Ratings assigned its 'AA' long-term rating and 'A' underlying rating for credit program to Methuen, Mass.' $9.7 million general obligation (GO) state qualified bonds. We also affirmed our 'A' unenhanced long-term rating on the city's outstanding long-term GO debt and our 'SP-1+' on the city's outstanding short-term debt. The outlook, where applicable, is stable. At the same time, S&P Global Ratings assigned its 'SP-1+' short-term rating to Methuen's GO state qualified deficit financing bond anticipation notes (BANs) maturing on Sept. 1, 2020. The 'AA' long-term rating reflects the support of the Chapter 44A Massachusetts Qualified Bond Act, which we rate 'AA' and which moves in tandem with our rating on the commonwealth. (For more information on the commonwealth's
