AbbVie Inc. withdrew support for its pending acquisition of Shire plc. We are affirming our 'A' corporate credit rating and removing all of our ratings from CreditWatch with negative implications. At the same time, we are affirming our 'A-1' commercial paper rating. Our stable outlook reflects AbbVie's steady operating performance and good cash flows, offset by our expectation that an orientation to shareholder returns will remain elevated. (Watch the related CreditMatters TV segment titled, "The Ratings Impact Of AbbVie?s Decision Not To Acquire Shire," dated Oct. 21, 2014.) On Oct. 21, 2014, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed all of its ratings on AbbVie Inc., including the 'A' corporate credit rating. We removed the corporate credit rating and the unsecured
