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. NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 13, 2010--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today it 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
