InPlay: Ford Motor and Ford Motor Credit ratings placed on Watch Negative at S&P (Briefing.com)

2:31PM Brunswick accelerates resizing and fixed-cost reduction efforts; will record non-cash impairment charge in Q3 9.48 -0.52 : The co announces it will accelerate its previously announced efforts to resize the company and to remove $300 million in fixed costs by the end of 2009. The company is taking the action in light of extraordinary developments within the global financial markets that are affecting the recreational marine industry... As previously announced, Brunswick had planned to close four boat manufacturing facilities in early 2009, but will now accelerate that process. "We remain on target to reduce fixed costs by $300 million by the end of 2009 compared with 2007 spending levels, and expect to exit 2008 with more than $125 million of fixed-cost reductions implemented. In fact, actions completed or currently... [read full story]