The ratings on Decatur, Ill.-based food processing company Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) reflect Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' opinion that the company has a "strong" business risk profile and "intermediate" financial risk profile. Key credit factors we consider for the company's business risk profile include its global market positions in agribusiness, its track record in mitigating earnings volatility, and its improving geographic diversity. ADM is one of the world's leading agribusiness companies, with major market positions in oilseed processing, corn milling, and ethanol production. The company is also a leader in the production of biodiesel, soy meal, flour, and other value-added food and feed ingredients. Moreover, the company's various operating segments are in themselves quite broad, and cover, among
