Credit metrics for U.S. lawn and garden products company Scotts Miracle-Gro have improved over the past year. We are raising our corporate credit rating on Scotts to 'BB' from 'BB-'. We are also assigning a 'BB-' unsecured rating to the company's proposed $200 million senior unsecured notes. The outlook is positive, reflecting our view that company's improved operating performance and credit measures may be sustainable near currently higher levels. On Dec. 13, 2010, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services raised its corporate credit rating on Ohio-based The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (Scotts) to 'BB' from 'BB-'. The outlook remains positive. At the same time, we assigned a 'BB-' unsecured rating to the company's proposed $200 million senior unsecured notes due 2020. We
