PARIS (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) April 9, 1999--Standard&Poor's today affirmed its triple-'B'-plus long-term corporate credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on Cap Gemini S.A. This action follows the announcement made by Cap Gemini that it will acquire Beechwood (unrated) for about $200 million. The outlook remains stable. The acquisition of Beechwood, a U.S. company specialized in computer services for telecommunications operators, is consistent with Cap Gemini's strategy to increase its presence in the U.S., the world's largest market for information technology services. Beechwood, which employs 400 people, has posted average annual growth of 43% during the past four years and expects to have sales of $80 million in 1999. Its operations will be merged with the U.S. telecommunications
