Late Wednesday, Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) scored a ratings upgrade from Standard & Poor's. The ratings agency raised Blockbuster's corporate credit rating from "CCC" to "B-" with a stable outlook. S&P commented, "The stable outlook reflects our belief that liquidity will remain adequate over the near term despite continued operational weakness and moderate deterioration of the company's credit protection metrics."
S&P's new rating is still six notches into junk territory, but the upgrade is nevertheless a vote of confidence in Blockbuster's refinancing efforts. On Monday, the video rental firm announced plans to offer up to $340 million in senior secured notes due 2014, and yesterday, Blockbuster said it would close up to 40% of its brick-and-mortar stores during the next two years.
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