BRIEFCASE.

Byline: -- Staff and Wire Services

Gannett interest boosts Tribune

Tribune Co.'s stock rose modestly Monday amid reports that interest in buying the media conglomerate has stepped up, including a potential bid from Gannett Co., the nation's largest newspaper publisher.

Gannett's reported interest brings a large media player into the Tribune's possible sell-off for the first time and could provide significant competition to such confirmed bidders as Los Angeles billionaires Ronald Burkle and Eli Broad.

After opening 1.8 percent higher after the published reports, Tribune shares rose 43 cents, or 1.3 percent, to close at $32.46 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Gannett executives visited Chicago last week and listened to presentations on Tribune Co.'s financial situation, the Chicago Tribune reported, citing two unidentified sources. The Wall Street Journal reported on the visit by Gannett executives on Monday, a day after the Tribune's initial report.

The Journal also said Tribune had informal discussions with MediaNews Group Inc., owner of the Daily News, San Jose Mercury News, The Denver Post and The Detroit News, about certain Tribune assets, including the Hartford Courant.

CompuUSA gets early Vista sales

Microsoft Corp. will sell licenses for its new Windows Vista operating system and Office 2007 productivity suite through CompUSA stores Nov. 30, two months before the products go on sale at other retailers.

The world's largest software company said Monday that customers will be able to buy licensing agreements to run Windows Vista Business and Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 on five or more personal computers.

Tyson warning of higher prices

Tyson Foods Inc., the world's largest meat processor, warned Monday that rising corn prices could mean U.S. consumers will have to pay more for chicken, beef and pork next year as it ended its fiscal year with a third straight quarterly loss.

The Springdale, Ark.-based company forecast a return to profitability in the new fiscal year, which started Oct. 1, as it gets a grip on costs and focuses on more efficient operations. Its shares rose 4 percent.

Dow, Nasdaq chalk up gains

The Dow industrial average rose 23.45, or 0.19 percent, to 12,131.88.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up 3.52, or 0.25 percent, at 1,384.42, and the Nasdaq composite index was up 16.66, or 0.70 percent, at 2,406.38.

On Monday, light sweet crude futures declined by $1.01 to settle at $58.58 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Consumers told no on warranties

In its first ever public education ad campaign, Consumer Reports is telling consumers to just say ``no'' to warranties pushed by the nation's retailers.

``We think warranties are a lousy deal for consumers in almost every case,'' said Jim Guest, president and chief executive of Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. It's a big business for retailers but a waste of money for consumers.''

The campaign, launched today, will include a full-page ad in USA Today and feature an e-mail campaign to 825,000 of Consumer Reports' subscribers and other activists.

Healthcare costs expected to go up

NEW YORK -- Health care costs could rise more than 10 percent in 2007, unless companies change their plans, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

``What the insurers are projecting is double-digit increases if you don't do anything,'' said Michael Thompson, a principal at PWC. ``Many employers, most employers, are doing something.''

Employers are already changing employees' benefit packages, shifting more costs to employees or pushing employees to participate in health and wellness programs, according to the report, based on a survey of health insurance carriers, the firm's own research and government data.

For 2007, costs for preferred provider organizations, are expected to rise 11.9 percent. Under preferred provider, or PPO plans, patients are offered a network of providers. Patients who select providers outside the network will pay more for their care.