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Press release Box-ID: 859614

METRO AG Metro-Straße 1 40235 Düsseldorf, Germany http://www.metrogroup.de
Contact METRO AG +49 211 68864252
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METRO AG

Rating agency S&P confirms investment grade rating for future METRO

(PresseBox) (Düsseldorf, )

 Preliminary rating for the future METRO Wholesale and Food specialist "BBB- / A-3" and stable outlook finally confirmed
 Exchange listing of the shares of the new METRO AG expected by Mid-July 2017


The international rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has confirmed an investment grade rating for the future METRO Wholesale and Food specialist and has set the previously preliminary rating of BBB- / A-3 with a stable outlook from last December to final, following the positive decision by the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf (Oberlandesgericht). Following the decision of 22 June 2017 by the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf (Oberlandesgericht), METRO GROUP is confident that it will be able to implement the demerger into two strong, successful and strategically focused stock listed companies as planned. It is anticipated that, in the middle of July, a wholesale and food specialist with the company brand METRO and a company with the corporate brand CECONOMY, aimed at Consumer Electronics, are to be created with the coming into effect of the demerger.

The S&P credit analysts have based the rating on the assessment of both business and financial profile, which has remained almost unchanged since the preliminary rating from December 2016. METRO GROUP has reduced its net debt by some EUR 5 billion over the past few years and as such has clearly improved its financial profile. As Europe’s largest wholesale and food specialist, S&P views its international diversification and established market position in growth regions such as China and Russia to be positive. A strong real estate ownership, a comfortable debt and liquidity profile and sound financial policy support the rating.

Furthermore, it was positively mentioned that, in the 2015/2016 financial year, approximately three quarters of sales in the wholesale business were accounted for by regular customers. This proves the strong market position and promises potential for further growth. S&P also notes that future METRO has a strong presence in the so-called "HoReCa" segment, which is aimed at hotels, restaurants, bars, pubs, fast food restaurants, catering companies and canteens. Here, METRO GROUP Wholesale & Food Specialist Company accounts for almost 41% of the wholesale turnover.

METRO AG

The METRO GROUP Wholesale & Food Specialist Company (W&FS Co.) is an internationally leading specialist in wholesale and food retail. With its sales lines METRO Cash & Carry and Real as well as its other associated companies, METRO GROUP W&FS Co. operates in 35 countries and employs more than 150,000 people around the world. In 2015/16, METRO GROUP W&FS Co. achieved sales of around €37 billion. The company provides custom solutions to meet the regional and international needs of its wholesale and retail customers. More information is available at www.metrogroup.de and https://wfsco.metrogroup.de/

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The publisher indicated in each case is solely responsible for the press releases above, the event or job offer displayed, and the image and sound material used (see company info when clicking on image/message title or company info right column). As a rule, the publisher is also the author of the press releases and the attached image, sound and information material. The use of information published here is generally free of charge for personal information and editorial processing. Please clarify any copyright issues with the stated publisher before further use. In case of publication, please send a specimen copy to service@pressebox.de.