On Nov. 24, 2004, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said its 'BB+' corporate credit and other ratings on Roper Industries Inc. remain on CreditWatch with developing implications where they were placed on Oct. 7, 2004. On that date, the diversified industrial company announced it would acquire TransCore Holdings Inc. from an investor group led by KRG Capital Partners LLC in a transaction valued at approximately $600 million. We expect to affirm the 'BB+' corporate credit rating and assign a positive outlook once the transaction closes in mid December 2004 and the company completes a $250 million planned equity offering. If the equity offering does not proceed as planned and does not occur in a timely manner, the ratings could be
