NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 9/18/97 -- Standard&Poor's today affirmed its ratings of Whirlpool Corp. and subsidiary Whirlpool Financial Corp. (see list below), following the company's announcement that it is taking several steps to broaden its global leadership position and improve its cost position worldwide. The company intends to acquire controlling interest in Brasmotor S.A., the company's Latin American affiliate, for $217 million, sell the majority of Whirlpool Financial's assets for about $1.6 billion in proceeds, and eliminate 4,700 positions in Asia, Europe, and North America. The ratings outlook is negative. About $3.3 billion of debt and preferred stock was outstanding as of June 30, 1997. The affirmation is based on the self-funding nature of the actions
