NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) May 30, 2006--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that its rating and outlook on Weight Watchers International Inc. (BB/Positive/--) would not be affected following the company's announcement that its board of directors has authorized an additional $250 million share repurchase program. This new authorization is in addition to a prior board authorization of $250 million in June 2005, of which more than $100 million remained available for repurchase as of March 31, 2006. The rating on Weight Watchers currently has some cushion for share buybacks and/or select acquisitions. In the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2005, Weight Watchers purchased about $176 million of stock, versus $177.2 million in 2004 and $28.8 million in 2003,
