S&P considers updating methodology for U.S. state ratings

Standard & Poor's outlined criteria for U.S. states' credit ratings and is seeking issuers' comments. The proposal is not expected to result in a change in ratings but is an attempt to give investors a better way to compare states. "There would be state-specific benchmarks and ratios and also a lot more clarity about the government framework, which has always been a big part of state ratings," said Robin Prunty, who helped outline the criteria.