Debt Securities

Dole Food Co. has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell as much as $400 million of debt securities. The Westlake Village producer of pineapples and bananas would use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, according to papers filed with the SEC. Those purposes may include debt reduction, working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions. The filing lets Dole register the securities in advance and sell them when financing needs arise.

Health Care Property Investors Inc. filed plans Thursday to offer up to $600 million worth of common shares, preferred shares and debt securities. The Newport Beach-based company filed a shelf registration, which allows companies to register securities and sell them as financing needs arise. In documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said proceeds from any sale of securities will be used for general purposes. No underwriters were listed in the filing.

About $300 million of Fluor Corp.'s debt securities have been placed on credit watch by Standard & Poor's in the wake of the Irvine firm's announcement that it is calling off plans to sell its equipment sales and leasing subsidiary. The rating agency said it is concerned that the engineering and construction company has increased its borrowings significantly to buy back the company's stock. The company had planned to use proceeds from the sale of its American Equipment Co.

Safeway Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell as much as $1.6 billion of debt securities, saying it may use the money to pay for pending acquisitions. The Pleasanton-based supermarket company agreed last week to buy Dominick's Supermarkets Inc. for about $1.8 billion in cash and assumed debt. Safeway also is purchasing Carr-Gottstein Foods Co. for $330 million in cash and assumed debt.

S&P Lowers Disney Debt Rating: Standard & Poor's said it cut its ratings on debt securities of Walt Disney Co. and its recently acquired subsidiary, Capital Cities/ABC Inc., to A, its third-highest level, from AA-. It said the rating's outlook is stable. About $3 billion in debt is affected.

Fluor Corp. is planning to sell as much as $400 million of senior debt securities, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The provider of engineering and construction services plans to use the proceeds from the sale for general corporate purposes, including debt reduction and possible acquisitions, according to a shelf registration statement. A shelf registration enables companies to register securities in advance and then sell them as financing needs arise.

A Securities and Exchange Commission advisory panel on Wednesday unveiled a proposal to ease regulatory restrictions on public companies raising capital through the sale of their securities. The proposal would reduce the costs incurred by companies seeking investments from the public, improve investor protection and streamline the SEC's securities registration process.

StreamLogic Corp., a Chatsworth maker of video delivery and data storage devices, said it reached a new agreement with bondholders to restructure its debt. The company said it agreed with holders of about 80% of its $75 million in 6% convertible subordinated debentures to exchange the debt securities for a package of cash, unsecured promissory notes, common stock and warrants to purchase common stock.

Rockwell International Corp.: The Seal Beach aerospace- and automotive-products company plans to sell as much as $300 million in debt securities for general corporate purposes, according to documents filed Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.