TORONTO (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) June 14, 2001--Standard&Poor's today revised its outlook on Cott Corp. to stable from negative. At the same time, the double-'B'-minus corporate credit and single-'B'-plus senior unsecured debt ratings on the company were affirmed. When secured debt accounts for a significant proportion of assets and cash flow, unsecured debt is notched down from the corporate credit rating. The outlook revision reflects Cott's strengthening operating results and lower operating costs, reflecting various cost-cutting initiatives undertaken in the past year. Separately, Cott announced the purchase of its private-label concentrate supply agreement as well as the acquisition of international brands from Royal Crown (RC) Cola (formerly a division of Cadbury Schweppes) for US$94 million. The supply contract
