Also . . .

* Standard & Poor’s lowered its rating on Hilton Hotels Corp. after shareholders approved its $3.7-billion purchase of Promus Hotel Corp. S&P; cut Hilton’s senior unsecured debt rating to “BBB-” from “BBB” and set its outlook at “negative.” By buying Promus, Hilton acquired the Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites chains. The more modest Hampton Inn and Homewood hotels will make the Beverly Hills-based company less dependent on the upscale travelers who stay at Hilton hotels. It also reduces Hilton’s dependence on its 10 biggest properties, which now generate most of its profit. Hilton’s shares fell 31 cents to close at $10 on the New York Stock Exchange.