Directors: A J Wright (Chairman), N J Holland
†
(Chief Executive Officer), K Ansah, C Carolus, R Dañino*, J G Hopwood, G Marcus,
R P Menell, D N Murray, D M J Ncube, R L Pennant-Rea
†
, C I von Christierson, G M Wilson
†
British,
#
Ghanaian, *Peruvian
Corporate Secretary: C Farrel
Gold Fields Limited
Reg. 1968/004880/06
150 Helen Road,
Sandown, Sandton,
2196
Postnet Suite 252
Private Bag X30500
Houghton, 2041
South Africa
Tel +27 11 562-9700
Fa +27 11 562-9801
www.goldfields.co.za
Enquiries
Media and Investor Enquiries
Willie Jacobsz
Tel
+508 358-0188
Mobile +857 241-7127
email
Willie.jacobsz@gfexpl.com
Investor Enquiries
Nikki Catrakilis-Wagner
Tel
+27 11 562-9706
Mobile +27 (0) 83 309-6720
email
Nikki.Catrakils-Wagner@
goldfields.co.za
Media Enquiries
Marritt Claassens
Tel
+27 11 562-9774
Mobile +27 (0) 82 307-3297
email
MarrittC@goldfields.co.za
MEDIA RELEASE
Standard and Poor’s assigns Gold Fields an
investment grade credit rating
Johannesburg, 19 March 2009. Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services
(“S&P”) today assigned Gold Fields Limited (‘’Gold Fields’’) (JSE,
NYSE, NASDAQ Dubai: GFI) with a ‘BBB-/ A-3‘ long-term and short-term
global corporate credit rating and ‘zaA/zaA-1’ long-term and short-term
South Africa national scale corporate credit rating. The outlook is stable.
The long-term ratings reflect Gold Fields’ satisfactory business risk and
intermediate financial risk profiles while the short-term ratings reflect Gold
Fields’ adequate liquidity.
The satisfactory business risk profile reflects Gold Fields’ market position
as the world’s fourth largest gold producer, an industry-leading long
reserve life of over 20 years, healthy profitability underpinned by
persistently strong gold prices. The company’s leverage and financial
policy is considered to be moderate.
The stable outlook reflects the expectation that Gold Fields will continue
to report healthy cash flow generation, supported by ongoing strong gold
prices and a weak exchange rate.
Paul Schmidt, Chief Financial Officer of Gold Fields, said:
“The credit rating is an independent endorsement of Gold Fields as an
investment grade company with a stable outlook. The rating further
confirms aspects such as Gold Fields’ sound corporate governance and
risk management while aligning it with global best practice and its peers.
Although the intention is to reduce debt over the next 18 months, an
official credit rating will allow flexibility to efficiently structure long-term
debt as well as new debt, should the need arise.
ends
Enquiries:
Willie Jacobsz
Mobile: +857 241-7127
Nikki Catrakilis-Wagner
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 309 6720
Marritt Claassens
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 307-3297
ends