The ratings reflect E.I. DuPont de Nemours&Co.'s status as one of the world's premier chemical producers. DuPont benefits from having a well above-average business profile. Key business attributes include leading technology and cost positions in an exceptionally broad mix of products and geographic markets. The company announced in early 2002 that it would separate its nylon fiber, polyester fiber, and Lycra-brand fiber businesses, combining them into a newly formed subsidiary called DuPont Textiles&Interiors (DTI), by year-end 2003. Credit quality should benefit from decreased exposure to the low-growth, capital-intensive, more commodity-like features of the fiber businesses, offsetting the loss of business diversity and asset protection that DTI provides. The DTI transaction represents the next step in DuPont's
