Delay EPR: Standard & Poor's Areva sanctions
Standard & Poor's finally penalized AREVA, judging the profitability of the group "depressed" for two years. The notes of French nuclear group, which was under surveillance by the rating agency since April 14 last, was finally degraded Monday by two notches to 'BBB +, cons A.
The first reason advanced by the agency for "the provision of 400 million euros related to the recently announced construction of the Olkiluoto 3 reactor in Finland. The further delay of the Finnish EPR, one of four currently under construction by Areva (with Flamanville in the Channel and two other Chinese), forcing the group to a new provision which would involve a negative operating result for the first half 2010. In total, the group has been provisioned 2.7 billion euros for this site should be completed in late 2012 with four years late.
S & P added that the profitability of Areva would also be affected by a "conflict" is contrasted with EDF about the Georges Besse enrichment plant, in the Drome. Both groups fail to reach an agreement to renew the contract which ensures the Areva uranium enrichment EDF.
The rating agency does have a stable outlook on the debt rating of Areva, convinced that the group should be able to implement successfully the remainder of the disposal plan and its plan to increase capital , strengthening its balance sheet.
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