NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Oct. 24, 2013--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'A+' senior unsecured rating to Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s (BMS) three proposed issues of notes with maturities in 2019, 2023, and 2044. Market conditions will set amounts, rates, and other terms. The company will use proceeds from these notes, issued in reliance on a WKSI shelf, to repay commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes. Ratings on U.S.–based BMS reflect our view that a diverse portfolio of strongly growing new drugs will temper the sales drag from the upcoming loss of market exclusivity for the company's top-selling drug Abilify and support our "satisfactory" business risk profile. Strong positions in the oncology, cardiovascular, and virology market illustrate
