Leslie's, Inc. LESL

S&P Global Ratings on Aug. 21 downgraded Leslie’s Inc. to CCC-, from CCC, retaining a negative outlook, after the company said earlier this month that it has “begun exploring strategic alternatives” with certain stakeholders. S&P believes the alternatives could include an exchange that the agency would consider “distressed.” S&P also downgraded the company’s term loan due March 2028, a constituent of the Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan Index, to CCC-, from CCC. S&P projects a 7% revenue decli

A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after Walmart’s results reinforced worries about a stretched U.S. consumer. According to CNBC, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) shares fell nearly 10% even after a revenue beat and a full-year outlook raise, as U.S. comparable sales grew only 2.6% — short of Wall Street’s roughly 3.5% expectation — and third-quarter sales guidance of 3% to 3.75% looked light. CFO John David Rainey told CNBC the company was eligible for about $2.9 billion in tariff refunds, wit