U.S.-based foodservice distributors Sysco Corp. and US Foods Inc. have announced a merger valued at approximately $8.2 billion. We are placing our ratings on US Foods, including its 'B' corporate credit rating, on CreditWatch with positive implications because we believe that US Foods' credit profile will improve as a result of its merger into the larger and financially stronger Sysco. CHICAGO (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 9, 2013--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today placed all of its ratings on Rosemont, Ill.-based US Foods Inc., including our 'B' corporate credit rating, on CreditWatch with positive implications. Total debt outstanding as of Sept. 28, 2013 was approximately $4.8 billion. The CreditWatch placement follows the announcement that Sysco and US Foods will merge in
