BRIEFCASE.

Byline: -- Staff and Wire Services

Lennar Corp. expects losses

Lennar Corp., one of the nation's largest homebuilders, said Tuesday that it expected a fourth-quarter loss as the company re-evaluates how much its inventory is worth amid a slowing industry.

The Miami-based company expects a loss within a range of 88 cents per share to $1.28 for its quarter ended Nov. 30 after a pretax charge of up to $500 million for the inventory evaluation. Official earnings for the quarter will be released before the market opens Jan. 17.

Lennar also announced Tuesday that it would sell a 62 percent stake in its partnership with LNR Property Corp. in their LandSource Communities Development LLC venture. Lennar and LNR will receive about $660 million each in the sale.

MW Housing Partners will purchase the 62 percent stake but will have just 50 percent voting control of the venture, according to Lennar. Under the deal, Lennar and LNR will retain rights of first offer to purchase property owned by LandSource.

LandSource's primary investment was with The Newhall Land and Farming Company, which owns 15,000 acres in a rapidly growing region about 30 miles north of Los Angeles, prime development territory as urban sprawl pushes outward from downtown.

Nucor sets sights on Harris Steel

Steel products maker Nucor Corp. said Tuesday that it has offered $1.07 billion for Canada's Harris Steel Group Inc., whose board is recommending that its shareholders accept the all-cash bid.

Nucor, which makes steel from recycled metal at its ``minimill'' operations across the United States, said the deal would broaden its geographic reach and give it opportunities to grow.

Striking Goodyear workers return

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. workers returned Tuesday after a three-month strike, with the world's third-largest tire-maker saying it could be weeks before full production resumes.

``Production at the affected tire and engineered products plants will ramp up over the next few weeks,'' the Akron-based company said in a statement marking the return. ``Full supply of Goodyear products is expected to be available soon thereafter.''

Segways banned by Dutch police

Dutch police banned Segways from all public roads, bike paths and walkways as of New Year's Day, surprising the nation's official importer of the two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters.

Segway Nederland director Piet Kruijt said Tuesday that the company was ``completely ambushed'' by the decision, first announced by the national police Nov. 27, 2006.