Fitch cuts UnitedHealth ratings

Fitch Ratings on Wednesday downgraded UnitedHealth Group Inc. default rating to 'A' from 'A+' and lowered the outstanding senior unsecured debt rating to 'A-' from 'A', all of which are upper medium grade ratings. Fitch cited a review showing the healthcare services company will be more leveraged than previously anticipated, and said the rating changes take into account the possible $1.3 billion in fines UnitedHealth is facing for alleged state law violations in California.