Fitch: Modest Top Line Growth to Provide Stability to Consumer & FBT Sectors in 2017

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fitch Ratings expects overall rating stability for the Consumer and Food, Beverage & Tobacco (FBT) sectors in 2017 based on modest top-line growth, a benign commodity cost environment and a focus on cost reduction across many subsectors. Notable exceptions include The Coca-Cola Company and Brown-Forman Corp., which currently have Negative Outlooks given high leverage relative to rating levels. British American Tobacco plc.’s (BAT) ratings are likely to be downgrad