The company's position as a major player in grains processing, food ingredients, and ethanol production; Growing geographic diversification; and A highly liquid balance sheet. Volatility of the agribusiness industry, including a weak near-term earnings outlook for ethanol; and Possibility of weaker credit measures related to the company's current intentions to acquire GrainCorp Ltd. (unrated). The ratings on Decatur, Ill.-based food processing company Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) reflect Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' opinion that the company has a "strong" business risk profile and "intermediate" financial risk profile. Key credit factors we consider for the company's business risk profile include its global market positions in agribusiness, its track record in mitigating earnings volatility, and its improving geographic diversity. ADM is
