RATING ON METSO CORPORATION DOWNGRADED TO Baa3 BY MOODY'S


Moody's Investors Service has lowered the long-term ratings of Metso Corporation to Baa3 from Baa2. Ratings were also removed from credit review and Metso's outlook was considered to be stable.
 
Metso Corporation is a global supplier of process industry machinery and systems, as well as know-how and aftermarket services. The corporation's core businesses are fiber and paper technology (Metso Paper), rock and mineral processing (Metso Minerals) and automation and control technology (Metso Automation). In 2002, the net sales of Metso Corporation were EUR 4.7 billion and the personnel totaled approximately 28,500. Metso Corporation is listed on the Helsinki and New York Stock Exchanges.