Global leader in agribusiness, an industry with strong barriers to entry; Liquid balance sheet; High degree of business and geographic diversification; and Prudent risk management policies. Earnings and cash flow volatility; Increased risk exposure associated with the company's commodity trading operations; and Risk of weak earnings cycle persisting, leading to credit measure deterioration. Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' ratings on Minnetonka, Minn.-based Cargill Inc. and its related entities reflect a "strong" business risk profile (as our criteria define the term) an "intermediate" financial risk profile. Cargill's strong business risk profile reflects the continued expansion of the company's global agribusiness footprint, and our expectation that the company will maintain its market leading positions in its core operating businesses, given the industry's
