U.S.-based specialty chemical company Ecolab Inc.'s improving operating trends and likely ongoing benefits from integration of a large 2013 acquisition will strengthen credit measures in our assessment. We affirmed our 'BBB+' corporate credit rating and all other ratings on the company and revised the outlook to positive from stable. The positive outlook reflects the potential for a higher long-term rating should better operating trends boost credit measures to appropriate levels, including funds from operations (FFO) to debt of 30% or higher. NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) March 28, 2014--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today revised its outlook on Ecolab Inc. to positive from stable. At the same time we affirmed all our ratings on the company, including the 'BBB+' corporate
