NXP Semiconductors Obtains Improved Credit Ratings From S&P and Moody's

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands, Dec. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI) announced that it has received credit rating upgrades from both Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s”) as a result of the successful merger between NXP Semiconductors (“NXP”) and Freescale Semiconductor (“Freescale”). 

Both rating agencies attributed the upgrades to the benefit of the merger, which will provide larger scale, greater product and geographic diversity, as well as meaningful cost synergies, all resulting in robust free cash flow. 

• S&P upgraded its long-term corporate rating for NXP B.V to investment grade or BBB- from BB+. Additionally, S&P assigned a “Stable Outlook”, and has withdrawn its recovery rating on the company.
   
• Moody’s upgraded its long-term corporate rating for NXP B.V to Ba1 from Ba2.

“We are very pleased with the rating changes both S&P and Moody’s have made. The rating agencies’ decisions are a clear validation that the merger between NXP and Freescale results in an improved capital structure, a strengthened balance sheet and clear focus on high growth markets,” said Dan Durn, NXP’s Chief Financial Officer. “The credit rating upgrades are a further recognition of the potential improved free cash flow, operational performance and strong earnings momentum of the new combined entity.”

About NXP Semiconductors
NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI) enables secure connections and infrastructure for a smarter world, advancing solutions that make lives easier, better and safer. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is driving innovation in the secure connected vehicle, end-to-end security & privacy and smart connected solutions markets. Built on more than 60 years of combined experience and expertise, the company has 45,000 employees in more than 35 countries. Find out more at www.nxp.com.

Forward-looking Statements
This document includes forward-looking statements which include statements regarding NXP’s business strategy, financial condition, results of operations, and market data, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts.  By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected.  These factors, risks and uncertainties include the following: market demand and semiconductor industry conditions; the ability to successfully introduce new technologies and products; the end-market demand for the goods into which NXP’s products are incorporated; the ability to generate sufficient cash, raise sufficient capital or refinance corporate debt at or before maturity; the ability to meet the combination of corporate debt service, research and development and capital investment requirements; the ability to accurately estimate demand and match manufacturing production capacity accordingly or obtain supplies from third-party producers; the access to production capacity from third-party outsourcing partners; any events that might affect third-party business partners or NXP’s relationship with them;  the ability to secure adequate and timely supply of equipment and materials from suppliers; the ability to avoid operational problems and product defects and, if such issues were to arise, to correct them quickly; the ability to form strategic partnerships and joint ventures and to successfully cooperate with alliance partners; the ability to win competitive bid selection processes to develop products for use in customers’ equipment and products; the ability to successfully establish a brand identity; the ability to successfully hire and retain key management and senior product architects; and, the ability to maintain good relationships with our suppliers.  In addition, this document contains information concerning the semiconductor industry and NXP’s business segments generally, which is forward-looking in nature and is based on a variety of assumptions regarding the ways in which the semiconductor industry, NXP’s market segments and product areas may develop.  NXP has based these assumptions on information currently available, if any one or more of these assumptions turn out to be incorrect, actual market results may differ from those predicted.  While NXP does not know what impact any such differences may have on its business, if there are such differences, its future results of operations and its financial condition could be materially adversely affected.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak to results only as of the date the statements were made.  Except for any ongoing obligation to disclose material information as required by the United States federal securities laws, NXP does not have any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after we distribute this document, whether to reflect any future events or circumstances or otherwise.  For a discussion of potential risks and uncertainties, please refer to the risk factors listed in our SEC filings. Copies of our SEC filings are available on our Investor Relations website, www.nxp.com/investor or from the SEC website, www.sec.gov. 

For further information, please contact:

NXP Investor Relations:
Jeff Palmerjeff.palmer@nxp.com
+1 408 518 5411

NXP Media Relations:
Joon Knapenjoon.knapen@nxp.com
+49 151 257 43 299

NXP Semiconductors Netherlands B.V.