NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) Feb. 8, 1999--Standard&Poor's today placed Whirlpool Corp.'s single-'A'-minus senior unsecured debt and corporate credit ratings on CreditWatch with negative implications. Whirlpool's 'A-2' commercial paper rating was affirmed. Standard&Poor's also placed the single-'A'-minus preferred stock and corporate credit ratings of Whirlpool Financial Corp. on CreditWatch with negative implications. The CreditWatch placement reflects operating results for the full year ended 1998, which were below expectations as a result of weaker than anticipated performance in Latin America and to a lesser extent Asia. Going forward, it is expected that Latin American exposure will continue to adversely impact operating performance in 1999. In resolving the CreditWatch listing, Standard&Poor's will meet with management
