NY -- Standard & Poor's CreditWire 10/28/97 -- Standard & Poor's today assigned its 'A-1'-plus rating to R.C. Wiley Home Furnishings' commercial paper. The rating is based on an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee by its parent, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. R.C. Wiley is a specialty retailer of furniture, appliances, electronics, and floor coverings. Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s triple-'A' senior debt rating is predicated on its superior capital base, excellent business positions of rating family member GEICO Corp. and group member National Indemnity Co., and strong management under the leadership of Warren Buffett. The overwhelmingly strong capital base serves as a cushion against catastrophe risk and more than offsets the investment risks associated with holding unusually large and relatively undiversified common stock holdings.
