...NEW YORK (Standard & Poor's) Feb. 4, 2016--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today that Duke Energy Corp.'s announcement that it is considering selling its international operations could be a modestly positive development for the company's credit quality, if completed, although it currently does not affect its ratings. We will consider the impact of the proposed transaction on Duke Energy's business and financial risk profiles, if any, in the context of the company's acquisition of Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc., once specific transaction details become available, including potential sale proceeds and their use as well as the sale's timetable. We have determined, based solely on the developments described herein, that no rating actions are currently warranted. Only a rating committee may determine a rating action and, as these developments were not viewed as material to the ratings, neither they nor this report were reviewed by a rating committee....
