OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings plans to withdraw the ratings on Empire District Electric Company (EDE) on or about Feb. 13, 2016, which is approximately 30 days from the date of this press release, for commercial reasons.

Fitch currently rates EDE as follows:

--Long-term Issuer Default Rating at 'BBB-'; Outlook Stable.

Fitch reserves the right in its sole discretion to withdraw or maintain any rating at any time for any reason it deems sufficient. Fitch believes that investors benefit from increased rating coverage by Fitch and is providing approximately 30 days' notice to the market of the rating withdrawal of EDE. Ratings are subject to analytical review and may change up to the time Fitch withdraws the ratings.

Fitch's last rating action for EDE was on June 12, 2015, at which time the ratings were affirmed.