TORONTO (Standard&Poor's) Feb. 17, 2003--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today said it assigned its 'A' senior unsecured debt rating to food retailer Loblaw Companies Ltd.'s C$200 million 6.54% MTN drawdown due 2033 from its C$1.5 billion base shelf registration filed in May 2001. At the same time, the ratings on the Toronto, Ont.-based company, including the 'A' long-term corporate credit rating, were affirmed. The outlook is stable. "Loblaw Companies is the market leader in Canadian food distribution, with a consistently strong operating performance, a well-regarded and innovative controlled-label program, and an asset base that consists of modern stores that have benefited from the company's traditionally heavy capital expenditure program," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst Don Povilaitis. These
