Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services on Tuesday placed Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s ‘AA’ ratings on review following news that Warren Buffett’s conglomerate will buy Precision Castparts Corp. for about $32 billion. S&P’s move reflects, in part, uncertainty over how Berkshire will finance the deal. “We believe that to fund the acquisition, BRK is likely to use some of the capital resources available at its insurance companies,” said the ratings agency. The ratings were placed on CreditWatch Negative, which implies that the ratings may be lowered or affirmed after the review.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

The July 2015 Survey of Consumer Expectationsresults suggest relatively stable expectations about the economy. The median one-year and three-year-ahead expected rates of inflation remained unchanged at 3.0 percent. While earnings and household income growth expectations were largely unchanged, median household spending growth expectations retreated substantially to their lowest level since the inception of the survey in […] …read more

From:: Finance and Economy

General Electric Co. said Tuesday it has agreed to sell $8.5 billion of healthcare-related loans and its Healthcare Financial Services U.S. lending business to Capital One for about $9 billion. Separately, the company has agreed for another buyer to purchase about $600 million of HFS real estate equity investments. “We are on track to reduce our ending net investment (ENI) by $100 billion by the end of 2015 and expect to be substantially done with our exit strategy by the end of 2016,” GE Capital Chief Executive Keith Sherin said in a statement. The deal is part of GE’s strategy of focusing on core industrial businesses that involves selling most of GE Capital’s assets. This deal represents about $8.4 billion of ending net investment and will contribute about $1.5 billion to the company’s target of $35 billion of dividends that it expects to pay GE under the plan. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. GE shares were up slightly in after-hours trade, and are up about 1.7% in the year so far, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen about 2.4%.

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From:: Stock Market News

After leading JDS Uniphase through a corporate split, Chief Executive Tom Waechter is leaving the company. Waechter had taken over as CEO and president of Viavi Solutions Inc. , the expected high-growth area of JDSU’s business, after splitting off the firm’s traditional optical-networking business into Lumentum Holdings . Tuesday afternoon, however, Viavi announced Waechter would step down from his role at Viavi less than two weeks after the split became effective on Aug. 1, saying he “will be pursuing other business and personal interests.” Waechter, who had led JDSU for six years, will be replaced on an interim basis by former Quantum CEO Richard Belluzzo, who was chairman of the newly formed Viavi. “As Viavi moves forward, we will seek a new leader with strong industry knowledge and customer relationships, technical expertise and operational acumen,” Belluzzo said in the announcement. Viavi stock gained a little more than 1% in after-hours trading after the announcement and the company’s first quarterly earnings release as a separate entity; shares closed with a 5.8% loss at $5.85.

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From:: Stock Market News

Shares of Fogo de Chao Inc. rose marginally late Tuesday after the company released its first quarterly results since going public in June. The Brazilian steakhouse said its second-quarter earnings fell to $2.5 million, or 10 cents a share, from $3.7 million, or 16 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. On an adjusted basis, Fogo de Chao earned 25 cents a share, better than than analysts’ estimate of 19 cents a share in a FactSet survey. Revenue fell to $68.2 million from $68.5 million. Fogo de Chao shares rose 0.4% in after hours.

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From:: Stock Market News

Stocks closed lower Tuesday after an unexpected devaluation of the yuan by China’s central bank sparked concern that the move could weaken the U.S. economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 212.33 points, or 1.2%, to finish at 17,402.84, after being down nearly 263 points. The S&P 500 Index shed 20.11 points, or 1%, to close at 2,084.07, after being down nearly 28 points earlier. The Nasdaq Composite Index finished down 65.01 points, or 1.3%, at 5,036.79, recovering from an 88-point deficit earlier in the session.

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From:: Stock Market News

By Kayla Kitts

It’s the classic pet question: Are you a cat person or a dog person? Here at Design Happens, the dog contingent is well-represented, with Kayla as our sole cat lover. But what about you? Check out our top picks for cat-and-dog decor, then tell us: Would you rather deck out your home with cat or dog motifs?

DECOR FOR CAT LOVERS

Kayla says: My love for my cat, D’Artagnan, is no joke. Every time I see him pop his little head from around the bedroom corner I just want to squeeze his face so hard. I finally discovered that I suffer from “cute aggression.” (It’s a real thing!) D’Artagnan has finally stopped fighting my overbearing, motherly hugs and has truly become a more loving little dude because of it. While I can already say I own a plethora of cat tees, accessories and decor, the ever-growing collection makes it impossible to stop. My next purchase (besides the cat-inspired decor below)? This colorful t-shirt that looks just like my furball. (Find your pet’s breed, or have one made to look like your fur baby!)

1. Cat and Plant Print. Brooklyn-based illustrator Sam Kalda showcases the friendship of a cat and his plant in this midcentury-style print. If you saw the state of my succulent garden, you would know how much my cat loves to paw around in there. #bffs

2. Meow-suring Cups. Take your culinary adventures to the next level with oh-so-adorable ceramic measuring cups featuring plump felines. I want to bake all the things with these little guys!

3. Black Cat Rug. This simple, modern rug is perfect for any cat lover. And every cat lover knows that stealth yet innocent peek-a-boo face.

4. Meow-nt Rushmore Pillow. Cats as presidents — does it get much better for a cat fanatic? Add these feline figureheads to your sofa and you’ve got an instant conversation starter.

5. Dog + Cat Coasters. There’s enough love to go around for dogs and cats. We adore these understated yet elegantly-designed coasters featuring both furballs for the ultimate pet-loving household.

6. Cat Trinket Dish. Store your everyday jewelry in this sweet trinket dish designed by Polish ceramicist Marta Turowska. The delicate details of this ceramic dish may seem super fragile, but this sturdy piece will stand the test of time.

DECOR FOR DOG LOVERS

Liz says: I’ve always been a dog person, but since adding my Corgie-bulldog mix puppy, Miles, to …read more

From:: HGTV

Oil futures plunged Tuesday, with the U.S. benchmark settling at its lowest level in more than six years after China devalued its currency. September crude-oil futures for delivery on Nymex dropped $1.88, or 4.2%, to settle at $43.08 a barrel. Oil was under pressure after China’s decision to devalue the yuan raised concerns about the strength of China’s economy and its appetite for crude and other commodities that will now be more costly in yuan terms.

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From:: Stock Market News

Netflix Inc. announced on Twitter Tuesday that it’s inked an exclusive deal to release Christopher Guest’s next film “Mascots,” in a continued push for exclusive and original content. Guest’s mockumentary project will following the men and women competing in The 8th World Mascot Association Championships to be crowned the world’s best mascot and win “the prestigious Gold Fluffy Award.” Guest is best known for his writing and, or directing credits on “Best in Show,” “This is Spinal Tap” and “A Mighty Wind.” Netflix said the film will premiere in 2016, with no set date yet.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

Gold futures ended higher Tuesday, posting gains for a fourth straight session during a tough day for commodities, which were hit by China’s decision to devalue its currency. China is one of the world’s largest importers of metals. Gold traders pointed to possible haven buying from Chinese investors aiming to offset a lower yuan as one reason the precious metal was trading higher Tuesday. For some, China’s currency move cast doubt on the timing of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate hike, which the market has been anticipating will come in September. Pushing back a rate hike weakens the dollar and can be a boon for dollar-denominated commodities like gold. Gold futures for December delivery closed up $3.60 cents, or 3.32% higher, at $1,107.70 an ounce. Gold’s climb also comes as stocks , were moving sharply lower, threatening to erase all of Monday’s gains.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News