NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) Dec. 13, 2000-- Standard&Poor's today revised its outlook for Whirlpool Corp. to negative from stable. At the same time, the triple-'B'-plus long-term corporate credit and senior unsecured debt and triple-'B' subordinated debt ratings, as well as the 'A-2' short-term corporate credit and commercial paper ratings for Whirlpool were affirmed. In addition, Whirlpool Financial Corp.'s triple-'B'-plus corporate credit and triple-'B'-minus preferred stock ratings were affirmed. Approximately $2 billion in debt was outstanding on Sept. 30, 2000. The outlook revision is based on Whirlpool's forecast for weakened operating and financial performance. The company revised its sales and earnings estimates downward due to the continuing slowdown in demand for U.S. and European home appliances and
