On May 9, 2006, Standard&Poor's Rating Services assigned its 'A-1' short-term rating to Danaher Corp.'s U.S. 4(2) commercial paper program. An 'A-1' rating was also assigned to Danaher European Finance S.A. Euro-commercial paper program, unconditionally guaranteed by Danaher. Both programs together cannot exceed $2.2 billion. Also, an 'A-1' short-term corporate credit rating was assigned to Danaher. The programs will be used to help fund the pending $2 billion (plus the assumption of $200 million of debt) Sybron Dental Specialties Inc. acquisition. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'A+' corporate credit and senior unsecured ratings on Washington, D.C.-based diversified manufacturer Danaher. The outlook is stable. Danaher had about $870 million of debt at March 31, 2006.
