S&P says Berkshire Hathaway has an "excellent business profile," but that its dividend income is too dependent on the insurance companies it owns. The move is not expected to have much, if any, effect on Buffett's company.

The good news: Inflation remains in check. The bad news: Jobless claims are up, and housing starts are down.

Japan has embarked on a massive effort to stimulate its economy. Both the government and the central bank are collaborating to end a long period of stagnation and deflation. But the effects are also being felt outside Japan.

The Atlantic Hurricane season starts in just a few weeks. With sequestration, the National Weather Service has ordered furloughs and a hiring freeze that have left vacancies throughout the agency, including the National Hurricane Center. Florida's governor and others are wondering if that will affect the state's ability to prepare and respond to a storm.

The Congressional Budget Office has sharply revised down the outlook for the federal budget deficit. Some temporary factors are being cited for the projected improvement. Keeping the deficit on a downward path may depend on the economy, analysts say.

For decades, the role of breadwinner was reserved for men, but today, more than a quarter of American working women earn more than their spouses. That means more fathers are opting to stay home with the kids.

With budgets tight, the court in San Joaquin County, Calif., stopped hearing all small claims cases in September. More than 800 people have since filed claims with no hearing dates in sight. Many other counties nationwide are experiencing similar delays for civil cases as they grapple with spending cuts.

The International Energy Agency says U.S. shale output and petroleum from Canada's tar sands are transforming global energy markets.