Ad-hoc | 21 February 2003 08:38

ThyssenKrupp AG english

Standard & Poor’s downgrades ThyssenKrupp two notches to BB+ Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Standard & Poor’s downgrades ThyssenKrupp two notches to BB+: Loss of investment grade status Standard & Poor’s has downgraded ThyssenKrupp’s previous rating two notches to BB+ and thus to non-investment grade status. S&P has also lowered the issue rating for the outstanding ThyssenKrupp bonds to “BB”. ThyssenKrupp sharply criticizes this decision. The Group does not share S&P’s assessment that its financial situation has deteriorated since its first rating was issued in summer 2001. The opposite is the case. For example, net financial payables have been substantially reduced by 4 billion euros – from 8.7 billion euros at March 31, 2001 to 4.7 billion euros at September 30, 2002. The Group’s gearing target of approximately 60% was achieved at September 30, 2002, a year earlier than planned. A further improvement in the gearing ratio through a further reduction in net financial payables is targeted. Against this background, S&P’s decision is incomprehensible. The facts concerning ThyssenKrupp have not changed; the only thing that has changed is S&P’s view of the way it assesses pension obligations. Please address questions to Dr. Jürgen Claassen (Communications and Central Bureau, Tel. +49 211 824-36001) and Gundolf Moritz (Investor Relations, Tel. +49 211 824-36464). end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 21.02.2003 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 750000; ISIN: DE0007500001; Index: DAX Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Düsseldorf; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart; London, Schweizer Börse 210838 Feb 03