The superior investment-grade ratings on New York, N.Y.-based pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. reflects its continued strong presence in the worldwide pharmaceutical industry, its diverse product portfolio, and its solid financials, factors partially offset by the company's near-term lack of significant new product launches. Despite a series of major drug patent expirations during the past two years, Bristol-Myers' drug portfolio remains diverse, with strong positions in the oncology, cardiovascular, and virology markets. The cardiovascular arena, in particular, provides growth opportunities, as sales of the company's anti-platelet drug Plavix and its A-II inhibitor Avapro are expected to generate annual double-digit growth for the next several years. The cholesterol reducer Pravachol is also expected to continue to be a significant contributor to
