Bulletin: Westar Energy Inc. Ratings And Outlook Are Not Affected By KCC's Rejection Of Merger Plan With Great Plains Energy Inc.

NEW YORK (S&P Global Ratings) April 20, 2017--S&P Global Ratings said today that its ratings on Westar Energy Inc. (BBB+/Negative/A-2) are not affected by the Kansas Corp. Commission's (KCC) rejection of the proposed merger between Great Plains Energy Inc. (BBB+/Negative/A-2) and Westar Energy. The outlook on Westar Energy remains negative. We will continue to monitor the actions that the companies might take in response to the rejection of the proposed merger, including the potential of filing a petition with the KCC for reconsideration within 15 days. If the transaction is not completed, our ratings on Westar Energy will continue to reflect an excellent business risk profile and a significant financial risk profile. Our base-case scenario indicates that Westar Energy's funds

...NEW YORK (S&P Global Ratings) April 20, 2017--S&P Global Ratings said today that its ratings on Westar Energy Inc. (###+/Negative/A-2) are not affected by the Kansas Corp. Commission's (KCC) rejection of the proposed merger between Great Plains Energy Inc. (###+/Negative/A-2) and Westar Energy. The outlook on Westar Energy remains negative. We will continue to monitor the actions that the companies might take in response to the rejection of the proposed merger, including the potential of filing a petition with the KCC for reconsideration within 15 days. If the transaction is not completed, our ratings on Westar Energy will continue to reflect an excellent business risk profile and a significant financial risk profile. Our base-case scenario indicates that Westar Energy's funds from operations to debt will be around 19% over the next few years. Only a rating committee may determine a rating action and this report does not constitute a rating action....

Bulletin