TOKYO (Standard&Poor's) Feb. 22, 2011--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today its long-term corporate credit rating on Aeon Co. Ltd. (A-/Stable/--) would be unaffected by Aeon's announcement today that it has acquired about 12.3% of outstanding shares in Parco Co. Ltd. (NR), a department store operator. Standard&Poor's estimates the acquisition's total cost to be over ¥8 billion, which would have a limited impact on Aeon's finances. Based on this, we hold the view that the acquisition of Parco shares will not affect the rating on Aeon. Nevertheless, if Aeon purchases additional shares in Parco, the price of shares to be purchased may rise sharply. In such an event, any significant increase in the financial burden Aeon
