...August 8, 2021 MELBOURNE (S&P Global Ratings) Aug. 9, 2021--Australia's largest freight railway operator, Aurizon Holdings Ltd., will likely seek to maintain its credit profile by balancing opportunistic acquisitions and shareholder returns, S&P Global Ratings said today. Aurizon, which consists of subsidiaries Aurizon Operations Ltd. (AUO, ###+/Stable/--) and Aurizon Network Pty Ltd. (AUN, ###+/Stable/--), is withstanding pressure on coal volumes and operating in line with our expectations. Aurizon will continue to look for acquisitions to diversify its business. It is likely to direct its balance sheet capacity to suitable acquisitions or share buybacks as it has done in the past. We will evaluate any material acquisition according to the funding approach and the potential accretive contribution to the existing business. Our recent EBITDA forecast of A$1,425 million to A$1,500 million in fiscal 2022 is in line with company guidance, and the group will continue to operate with a ratio...
