On Dec. 3, 2003, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'BBB-' rating to Precision Castparts Corp.'s $200 million 5.6% senior unsecured notes due 2013, offered under Rule 144A with registration rights. Standard&Poor's also assigned its 'BBB-' rating to the company's new $700 million unsecured credit facilities, to become effective simultaneously with the closing of the SPS Technologies Inc. acquisition scheduled for Dec. 9, 2003. The 'BBB-' rating on the existing credit facilities will be withdrawn at that time. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its ratings, including the 'BBB-/A-3' corporate credit ratings, on the firm. The outlook is stable. Outstanding debt, pro forma for the SPS acquisition, was $1.17 billion on Sept. 28, 2003. The
