U.S. appliance manufacturer Whirlpool's meaningful cost reductions and volume growth have resulted in improved profitability and credit measures. We are affirming all of Whirlpool's ratings, including the 'BBB-' corporate credit rating, and revising the outlook to positive from stable. The positive outlook reflects our belief that profits should remain near current levels, allowing for additional credit measure improvement in the future. On Oct. 7, 2010, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed all of its ratings on Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool Corp., including the 'BBB-' corporate credit rating. We also revised the outlook to positive from stable. As of June 30, 2010, Whirlpool had about $2.5 billion of debt outstanding. The outlook revision to positive from stable reflects our expectation that
