Fitch Places Sun Microsystems on Rating Watch Positive on Merger News
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NEW YORK--(Business Wire)-- Fitch Ratings has placed the following ratings for Sun Microsystems Inc. (SUN; NASDAQ: JAVA) on Rating Watch Positive subsequent to Oracle Corporation's (Oracle; rated 'A', Stable Outlook by Fitch) stated intent to acquire the company: --Issuer Default Rating (IDR) 'BBB-'; --Senior unsecured debt 'BBB-'. The rating action follows Oracle Corporation's proposed acquisition of Sun in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $8.7 billion, including $1.3 billion of assumed debt ($5.6 billion net of cash acquired). The transaction is expected to close this summer, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. Fitch believes Oracle is required to immediately redeem two tranches of $350 million of convertible senior notes privately placed in January 2007 with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) upon closing of the transaction due to a change of control provision in both note indentures. Sun's debt structure includes $550 million of 7.65% senior notes due Aug. 15, 2009 that would be redeemed by either Sun or Oracle at maturity, contingent upon the final closing date of the transaction. The Positive Rating Watch will be resolved upon closing of the acquisition. In conjunction with the resolution, Fitch expects to upgrade Sun's IDR and senior unsecured debt rating to correspond to Oracle's ratings. Sun's ratings will be withdrawn upon successful close of the transaction and redemption of the 7.65% senior notes. Separately, Fitch has affirmed Oracle's ratings (please refer to 'Fitch Affirms Oracle's Ratings at 'A/F1' on Merger' available on the Fitch Ratings web site on www.fitchratings.com). Fitch's rating definitions and the terms of use of such ratings are available on the agency's public site, www.fitchratings.com. Published ratings, criteria and methodologies are available from this site, at all times. Fitch's code of conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, affiliate firewall, compliance and other relevant policies and procedures are also available from the 'Code of Conduct' section of this site. Fitch Ratings, New York John M. Witt, CFA, 212-908-0673 Nick P. Nilarp, CFA, 212-908-0649 or Media Relations: Cindy Stoller, 212-908-0526 Email: cindy.stoller@fitchratings.com Copyright Business Wire 2009
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