S&P Raises ACE’s Financial Strength Ratings to 'AA-'

S&P Raises ACE’s Financial Strength Ratings to 'AA-'

Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has upgraded the financial strength ratings for ACE’s core operating insurance companies to “AA-” (Very Strong). The new rating applies to ACE’s core North America, Europe and Bermuda operating companies, which together account for more than 75% of the company’s business globally, based on net premiums written. S&P’s rating outlook for these companies is “Stable.” See S&P’s news release.

In upgrading the financial strength rating, S&P cited ACE’s “very strong and consistent operating performance, very strong competitive position, positive management and corporate strategy, and very strong and improved capital adequacy.” In its announcement, S&P said ACE’s “top managers are actively involved in the operations of the business, backed by a strong staff with significant depth and breadth” and also noted that the ratings reflect the company’s “strong enterprise risk management practices.”

In addition, S&P upgraded the issuer credit (senior debt) rating of ACE Limited, the ACE Group’s Switzerland-based holding company, to “A,” citing the company's “very strong liquidity and improved financial flexibility.”

Agilent Technologies Announces Offering of Senior Notes

Agilent Technologies Announces Offering of Senior Notes

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jul 13, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced it is offering, subject to market and other conditions, two series of senior notes. Agilent intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to satisfy, in part, the financing obligation of its subsidiary Agilent Technologies World Trade, Inc. Banc of America Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc. and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC are acting as joint book-running managers.

Agilent Technologies Names Didier Hirsch Senior Vice President and CFO

Agilent Technologies Names Didier Hirsch Senior Vice President and CFO

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jul 21, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced that Didier Hirsch, acting chief financial officer and vice president, corporate controllership and tax, has been appointed senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective today. Hirsch has been acting CFO since April 1, 2010. Hirsch has been responsible for Agilent's accounting and reporting functions, tax, credit and collections, vendor payments, and cost accounting. He has been with Agilent since its inception in 1999. Prior to Agilent, Hirsch was director of finance and administration for Hewlett-Packard Europe, Middle East and Africa. Before that, he held a similar position at Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong. Hirsch joined Hewlett-Packard Company in 1989. "Didier is a seasoned veteran with excellent global knowledge and experience," said Bill Sullivan, Agilent president and CEO. "I am very pleased to have someone with his breadth of expertise, integrity and company background to step into the important position of CFO." Prior to joining Hewlett-Packard, Hirsch held finance positions at Ford, Bendix/Allied Signal and STMicroelectronics. Hirsch has a master's degree in computer science from Toulouse University and a Master of Science in Industrial Administration from Purdue University.

M Reaffirms Commitment to Investing for Long-Term, Sustainable Growth

-- Company Also Comments on Second Quarter Sales Trends --

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At an institutional investor and analyst meeting tomorrow at the company’s Cynthiana, Kentucky manufacturing facility, 3M chairman, president and CEO George Buckley will reiterate the company’s commitment to investing in its core businesses to accelerate sales growth. He will cite a number of factors contributing to faster growth including new products and continued strong demand in emerging economies.

Buckley will also report that second quarter 2010 sales are projected to be in the range of $6.6 billion to $6.75 billion, reflecting an estimated 16 to 18 percent growth in organic sales volumes versus the second quarter of 2009. Total-dollar sales are expected to rise between 4 and 6 percent versus first quarter of 2010. 3M will report its complete second quarter results and 2010 full-year outlook on July 22, 2010.

In addition, Joe Harlan, executive vice president of 3M’s Consumer and Office Business, will describe ongoing actions to accelerate sales to 3M’s retail customers around the world, including investments in brand building, new products and international markets. 3M’s Consumer and Office Business is home to a number of coveted, category-defining brands such as Post-it^®, Scotch^®, Filtrete™ and Scotch-Brite™.

Sara Lee to sell L’OR EspressO capsules in the Netherlands

Sara Lee to sell L’OR EspressO capsules in the Netherlands

Dutch launch kicks off international expansion for innovative product
after record-breaking introduction in France

UTRECHT (Dec. 7, 2010) -

Sara Lee Corp. (NYSE: SLE) announced today it is launching
under the Douwe Egberts brand in the Netherlands its innovative single-serve espresso coffee
capsules that can be used in Nespresso® coffee appliances.
Douwe Egberts L’OR EspressO capsules will be available for purchase as of Dec. 8
exclusively at Sara Lee’s own Douwe Egberts stores – a network of premium outlets
throughout the Netherlands that combine a retail store for coffee- and tea-related products and
a café format with a rewards center for the company’s popular loyalty program.
The launch in the Netherlands kicks off the international expansion for L’OR EspressO
capsules, one of Sara Lee’s most successful coffee innovations in recent years. Sara Lee
introduced L’OR EspressO capsules in France last April and the product has been an instant
success thanks to its top-quality Arabica coffee, its retail availability and its attractive pricing.
In just eight months, Sara Lee has sold more than 90 million L’OR EspressO capsules and
gained as a result a 3.5% share of the total French retail roast-and-ground coffee market.
“We have a top-quality product that is in high demand and we’re delighted to bring it to our
core Dutch market. We expect this to be just the first of many exciting announcements for
consumers,” said Frank van Oers, chief executive officer of Sara Lee’s international beverage
and bakery businesses. “L’OR EspressO capsules have exceeded our expectations so far and
we remain very confident about their potential for success globally.”

Douwe Egberts L’OR EspressO comes in four varieties: Delizioso, Decaffeinato, Splendente
and Forza. All varieties are made with exclusively 100 percent Arabica coffee grown and
harvested in a socially and environmentally sustainable way, following the UTZ CERTIFIED®
program. In the Netherlands, a pack of ten capsules of any of the four varieties will sell for a
very competitive €3.09.

Thanks to L’OR EspressO capsules, high-quality coffee lovers are able to enjoy a choice of
coffee brands for the first time since they purchased their Nespresso® coffee appliance. L’OR
EspressO capsules offer consumers delicious espresso coffee of the highest quality and that is
produced responsibly.

Nespresso® is a trademark owned by a third party not associated with Sara Lee.