WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Fitch Ratings said Tuesday that it has affirmed Dean Foods Co.'s (DF) Issuer Default Rating at 'B'. The Rating Outlook is Stable.
Dean's ratings reflect the firm's high financial leverage, the commodity nature of the dairy industry, and the stabilizing but lowered profitability in a challenging fluid milk operating environment, the rating agency said.
'These negatives are partially mitigated by Dean's leading market share, national distribution capabilities, and the strong growth profile of the firm's WhiteWave-Alpro business,' Fitch added.
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