OREANDA-NEWS. S&P Global Ratings placed its ratings, including the 'BBB-' corporate credit rating, on Dallas-based Brinker International Inc. on CreditWatch with negative implications.

"The CreditWatch placements follow Brinker's announcement that it plans to increase leverage in the $250 million to $300 million range in the near term and use the proceeds to return capital to shareholders in the form of share repurchases," said credit analyst Helena Song.

We expect to resolve the CreditWatch placement in conjunction with a financing transaction, along with further evaluation of management's financial policies.