On April 6, 2009, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services placed its ratings, including its 'BB+' corporate credit rating, on Santa Clara, Calif.-based Sun Microsystems Inc. on CreditWatch with developing implications indicating the possibility of an upward or downward rating movement. The CreditWatch listing follows widely disseminated press reports that Sun has been in negotiations with IBM (A+/Stable/A-1) and potentially others, to be acquired. Reportedly, the talks with IBM have broken off for now. If Sun ultimately agrees to merge with a higher rated entity, its' ratings could be raised. However, if Sun remains independent, our ratings could be lowered should the company choose to adopt shareholder friendly initiatives, such as a large share repurchase or a one-time dividend funded by
