Leading market position; Geographic diversity; Predictable cash flows; and Favorable demographic trends. Narrow business focus; Participation in the highly competitive weight-loss industry; and Aggressive financial policy. The ratings on New York, N.Y.-based Weight Watchers International Inc. (WWI) reflect the company's narrow business focus, its participation in the highly competitive weight-loss industry, and its aggressive financial policy. These factors are somewhat mitigated by the company's leading market position, its well-recognized brand name, geographic diversity, predictable cash flows, and favorable demographic trends. WWI is a leading global provider of commercial weight-loss services. In the U.S. (WWI's largest market), the commercial weight-loss segment represents only about 7% of the highly competitive weight-loss industry, which includes other segments such as self-help weight-loss products, weight-loss
