Participation in the intensely competitive, fashion-sensitive and highly promotional specialty apparel retail industry; Good brand recognition for its major brands; and Good market position and diversity as the largest specialty apparel retailer in the U.S. and the third-largest globally, despite recent challenges in its namesake brand. Consistent and good cash flow generation; and Moderate financial policy, which supports credit metrics that are in line with an "intermediate" financial risk profile. The stable outlook on The Gap Inc. reflects our expectation that operating performance will remain generally stable despite ongoing weakness at its Gap brand, as international expansion, on-going operating initiatives, and continued positive performance at its Old Navy brand will mostly offset revenue declines and margin pressure. Furthermore, we believe
