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 recently announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell Invista, formerly DuPont Textiles&Interiors, to Koch Industries Inc. for about $4.4 billion. Invista includes the nylon fiber, polyester fiber, and Lycra-brand fiber businesses. 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 Invista provides. The Invista transaction represents the latest
