CHICAGO (Standard&Poor's) Jan. 26, 2009--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that its ratings on Atlanta-based Home Depot Inc. (BBB+/Stable/A-2) are currently unaffected following the company's announcement earlier today that it plans to exit its underperforming EXPO business and other noncore businesses. Home Depot also intends to reduce headcount in selected field and administrative functions, which, in conjunction with its planned store closures, will result in a 2% reduction of its workforce. The company expects to incur about $532 million in pre-tax charges relating to these actions, including an expected charge of about $390 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. The company estimates the cash portion of the anticipated charges to be approximately $153 million, which should
