BRIEF-Fitch Upgrades Telecom Italia To 'BB+', Affirms Stable Outlook

BY Reuters | CORPORATE | 01:42 PM EDT

May 14 (Reuters) - Telecom Italia SpA:

* FITCH UPGRADES TELECOM ITALIA TO 'BB+'; STABLE OUTLOOK

* FITCH: UPGRADE REFLECTS STRONGER CASH FLOW GENERATION, STABILISING LEVERAGE AFTER DISPOSAL OF TIM'S FIXED LOCAL ACCESS NETWORK & OTHER NON-CORE ASSETS

* FITCH ON TELECOM ITALIA: STABLE OUTLOOK REFLECTS EXPECTATIONS THAT CASH FLOW & LEVERAGE WILL REMAIN WITHIN OUR 'BB+' RATING SENSITIVITIES

* FITCH ON TELECOM ITALIA: EXPECT SHARE BUYBACK OF ABOUT EUR370 MILLION IN 2026, FUNDED BY ASSET SALE PROCEEDS

* FITCH: EXPECTS TIM'S ORDINARY DIVIDENDS TO RISE TO ABOUT EUR600 MLN ANNUALLY BY 2029, MINORITY DISTRIBUTIONS INCREASING TO ABOUT EUR300 MLN Source text: Further company coverage:

In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

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