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 sold INVISTA, formerly DuPont Textiles&Interiors, to Koch Industries Inc. INVISTA includes the nylon fiber, polyester fiber and Lycra-brand fiber businesses. DuPont should benefit from decreased exposure to the low-growth, capital-intensive, petrochemical-based, more commodity-like features of the fiber businesses, offsetting the loss of business diversity and asset protection that INVISTA provided. The INVISTA transaction represents the latest step in DuPont's multiyear transformation of its business portfolio, highlighted by the divestiture of
