U.S.-based industrial distributor WESCO International Inc. (WESCO) has announced an agreement to acquire Canada-based EECOL Electric for approximately CAD$1.14 billion. We expect that the company will finance the transaction with debt. We are affirming our ratings on WESCO, including the 'BB-' corporate credit rating. The positive outlook reflects our expectation that the increase in financial leverage resulting from this acquisition and previously announced smaller transactions will be temporary, and that credit measures will return to levels that could support a higher rating within the next 12 months. On Oct. 18, 2012, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its ratings on Pittsburgh, Pa.-based WESCO International Inc., including the 'BB-' corporate credit rating. The outlook remains positive. The rating affirmation reflects our
