The ratings on Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool Corp. reflect our belief that the company's profitability and credit metrics should remain near current levels over the next year in part because of meaningful cost reductions despite expectations for a slowing demand environment and potentially higher raw material costs. It also assumes that the current fragile macroeconomic environment does not weaken considerably. The company's satisfactory business profile is based on its strong brand recognition, global leadership position in the mature and concentrated major appliance industry, and growing geographic diversity. Whirlpool continues to maintain solid market share in several major appliance categories across different geographic regions. However, competition is fierce, particularly from several global competitors including Electrolux AB (BBB/Stable/A-2), BSH Bosch und Siemens
