ParfumGigi@aol.com

March 22, 2007

Dow Chemical Co., the nation's largest chemical maker, has no plans for a "big bang" transaction, Chief Executive Andrew Liveris said, refuting recent media reports.

Dow is considering more than 60 deals as part of a plan to reduce broad fluctuations in earnings, Liveris said Wednesday in a presentation on the company's Web site. Most of the prospects for partnerships involve Dow as the product marketer and plant operator, he said.

The Federal Reserve left a key interest rate unchanged Wednesday but triggered a strong rally on Wall Street as investors took hope that the central bank might cut rates in the future.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues voted to keep the federal funds rate, the interest that banks charge each other, at 5.25%. It was the sixth straight meeting at which the Fed has not changed the rate.

Office furniture maker Herman Miller Inc. announced results for the third fiscal quarter that ended March 3 on Wednesday.

Sales for the quarter increased 14.3% and orders grew 15.2% from the year-ago period. Net earnings were $32.3 million for the quarter, compared with $22.4 million for the period in the prior year.