TSC Ratings' Updates: U.S. Bancorp

The following ratings changes were generated on Monday, Nov. 10.

We've upgraded Amerigroup(AGP Quote), which operates as a multistate managed healthcare company, from sell to hold. Strengths include its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and growth in earnings per share. Weaknesses include disappointing return on equity, weak operating cash flow and poor profit margins.

Amerigroup's 8.8% revenue growth from the same quarter a year ago came in higher than the industry average of 3.6%, helping boost earnings per share. The current debt-to-equity ratio, 0.38, is low and is below the industry average, implying successful management of debt levels. The company also maintains an adequate quick ratio of 1.26, which illustrates the ability to avoid short-term cash problems. ...