Improving economic conditions should result in higher demand for many of Eastman Chemical's products and lead to gradual strengthening of the financial profile. We are affirming our 'BBB' corporate credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on U.S.-based diversified chemicals company Eastman, raising the short-term ratings to 'A-2' from 'A-3', and revising the outlook to stable from negative. The stable outlook reflects our view that the key funds from operations to adjusted total debt ratio should approach the appropriate 30% to 35% range this year and that financial policies will support further strengthening to within that range thereafter. NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) April 20, 2010--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it affirmed its 'BBB' corporate credit and senior
