NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Oct. 16, 2007--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services raised its corporate credit rating on integrated electric and natural gas utility holding company Xcel Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries--Northern States Power Co. (NSP-Minnesota), Public Service Co. of Colorado (PSCo), and Southwestern Public Service Co. (SPS)--to 'BBB+' from 'BBB'. In addition, Standard&Poor's raised its corporate credit rating on subsidiary Northern States Power Wisconsin (NSP-Wisconsin) to 'A-' from 'BBB+'. The outlooks are stable. Minneapolis, Minn.-based Xcel had $7.5 billion of debt and $105 million of preferred stock as of June 30, 2007. The upgrade reflects Xcel's strengthening business profile, exhibited by supportive regulation, particularly in Colorado, Minnesota, and Wisconsin where more than 90% of consolidated operating cash
