PARIS (Standard&Poor's) Sept. 30, 2005--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it affirmed its 'BBB+' corporate credit rating on U.K.-based catering services leader Compass Group PLC. The outlook is stable. The affirmation follows the group's announcement of plans to sell its travel concession business. "Despite the planned disposal's material size, it will have a broadly neutral impact on Compass' business profile," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst Melvyn Cooke. Standard&Poor's expects the group to use the proceeds to reduce financial debt materially, thereby compensating at least for the loss of both related cash flow and of a degree of business diversification--the balance would be returned to shareholders. The rating reflects Compass' leading global position in
