ATLANTA —Forbes.com has reported that Home Depot Inc.’s $22.5 billion share repurchase offer that was supposed to prop up its stock until the United States housing market improves seems to have backfired, as the company’s stock price has dipped to a $37 level, below the low end of the company’s tender offer of $39 to $44 per share. As a result of uncertainty over funding of the stock buyback, Home Depot’s senior credit ratings are under review for possible downgrade by Moody’s Investor Service. The markets are watching the situation carefully as Home Depot’s performance is widely considered an indicator of the housing market.Read more.

Troubled retailer Home Depot’s struggles continue, as CNNMoney.com reported that the company announced it had fired four purchasing managers who are alleged to have taken millions of dollars in kickbacks to make sure certain flooring products got onto the company’s shelves.Home Depot says they are cooperating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in probing this matter. Read more.