Moody's: Beckman Coulter view to negative

Moody's Investors Service said it affirmed the Baa3 senior unsecured rating of Beckman Coulter, Inc., along with its $250 million senior unsecured notes due 2015 at Baa3, $250 million senior unsecured notes due 2019 at Baa3, $600 million principal 2.5% senior convertible notes due 2036 at Baa3, $235 million 6.875% senior notes due 2011 at Baa3 and $36 million 7.05% senior debentures due 2026 at Baa3.

The outlook was changed to negative from stable.

The negative outlook reflects uncertainty around the company's capital structure and the potential for increased debt leverage given recent third-party reports that the company may be up for sale, Moody's said.

The agency also said it also is concerned about the potential that management and employee distraction over the next several months could be damaging to Beckman's customer retention and market share.

The rating is supported by Beckman's scale, customer, geographic and product diversity and leading market positions within several of its businesses, Moody's added.

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