NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 8/20/96 -- Standard&Poor's today has affirmed its double-`B'-plus rating of The Scotts Co.'s senior subordinated debt. The rating has been removed from CreditWatch, where it was placed April 3, 1996 following Scotts' announcement that 1996 earnings will be impaired as a result of earlier promotional programs relating to its consumer products business. The corporate credit rating is triple-'B'-minus and also has been removed from CreditWatch. The outlook is negative. About $100 million of long-term debt is affected. Scotts' ratings derive considerable support from its leading market shares in consumer lawn seeds and fertilizers. Despite a number of problems that will lower fiscal 1996's financial performance, the company's overall business position has not
