Article: Fitch Affirms Plum Creek's Ratings at 'BBB-'; Maintains Negative Outlook.

CHICAGO -- Fitch Ratings has affirmed Plum Creek Timber Company's (PCL) ratings as follows:

--Issuer Default Rating at 'BBB-'

--Senior unsecured bond at 'BBB-'

--Bank revolver and term loans at 'BBB-'.

The Rating Outlook is Negative.

Leverage is projected to increase through the end of this year, on its way to approaching 5.0 times (x) net debt/EBITDA as earnings soften from lower log harvests and sawtimber prices, fewer real estate sales, and with no meaningful profit contributions from panel and lumber operations. These conditions are expected to partially reverse in 2010 along with housing starts.

With a current ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!