...NEW YORK (S&P Global Ratings) March 7, 2017--S&P Global Ratings today assigned its '###+' issue-level rating to The Priceline Group Inc.'s proposed euro-denominated senior unsecured notes due 2022. The company will use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including share repurchases. The issue-level rating is at the same level as our corporate credit rating on Priceline. Pro forma for the debt offering, we expect Priceline to maintain a net cash position with no debt leverage. Our assessment of Priceline's financial risk profile as modest reflects the company's significant cash balances, lack of net debt leverage, and strong discretionary cash flow generation, which are partially offset by potential travel-disruption-related volatility. We expect the company to maintain its prudent approach regarding share repurchases, dividends, and acquisitions. Our satisfactory business risk profile assessment reflects the company's leading market position in European hotel reservation services,...
