Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has placed the BBB long-term debt ratings of Metso Corporation on Credit Watch with negative implications. The outlook on the ratings has been negative since June 2003. At the same time, the short-term A-3 rating was affirmed.
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 2003, the net sales of Metso Corporation were EUR 4.3 billion and the personnel totaled approximately 27,400. Metso Corporation is listed on the Helsinki and New York Stock Exchanges.