Fitch: Pfizer view to negative

Fitch Ratings said it affirmed Pfizer Inc.'s long-term issuer default rating at AA-, senior unsecured debt rating at AA-, bank loan rating at AA-, short-term issuer default rating at F1+ and commercial paper rating at F1+.

The outlook is revised to negative from stable.

Fitch Ratings also said it has withdrawn Pfizer subsidiary Wyeth LLC's AA- long-term issuer default rating and AA- senior unsecured debt rating.

Pfizer is in the midst of the industry's largest patent expiration period, as measured in sales, which is anticipated to accelerate from U.S. patent expiration of the cholesterol-lowering treatment Lipitor in November 2011, Fitch said.

The agency also said it is concerned about Pfizer's plan for capital deployment, which has a renewed focus on shareholder-friendly actions including a return of share repurchase activity and a commitment to raise dividends.

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