Bargains propel stocks to record NEW YORK - Stock market records fell Monday as investors turned their attention away from interest rates and economic reports and focused on downtrodden business sectors where bargains could be unearthed. They found them among high tech, drug and energy issues, which rose briskly. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 78.50 points to close at 7,079.39, beating the previous record of 7,067.46 set on Feb. 18. Diversity meeting rescheduled

NEW YORK - In a reminder that regulators are more closely scrutinizing insurance company practices, the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday confirmed it is examining sales of variable annuities. The SEC, which regulates insurance companies' sales of securities, said it mailed letters to a number of insurers asking for details about their sales practices. The letter, dated Dec. 12, was signed by Lori A. Richards, director of the SEC's office of compliance inspections, and William R. McLucas, director of the division of enforcement.

NEW YORK - When Violet Trerice was growing up during the Depression in Holyoke, Mass., her mother took in laundry from the local Prudential insurance agent and paid a quarter a week on policies for Violet and her seven siblings. So when a Prudential agent came unannounced to Mrs. Trerice's mobile home in Holiday, Fla., in 1982, she let him in. The agent reminded her that her husband had a $6,000 Prudential life insurance policy, and she had one for $1,000. Both were paid up.

Are good times coming back?

Nasdaq hits record as Dow declines...Ducati denies talks with Harley...Coke allowed to resume work...Prudential subsidiary fined...Wachovia to buy insurance broker...Japan, China agree on WTO deal\r

Bill Ferguson has been named online market development manager for the online services division of Morris Communications Corp. His duties will include sales for the company's Internet-related products, as well as regional and national advertising placement within these products. -- Teresa McBride has been elected to mortgage loan officer by the board of directors of SunTrust Bank, Augusta. -- BellSouth has made several additions or promotions to the staffs of its Augusta divisions and companies:

Economic factors continue to shine WASHINGTON - More signs of continued economic growth emerged Thursday. A new survey found manufacturing continued to expand in May, and the number of new claims for unemployment benefits last week remained unchanged at a level consistent with moderate job growth. A third report showed the number of helpwanted newspaper advertisements in April also was unchanged, another suggestion of a tight job market.

Insurance chief to speak at lunch Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine is scheduled to speak at the Augusta Brokers' Seminar at 11:30 a.m. March 4 at the Medical College of Georgia. The event is sponsored by the Greater Augusta-Aiken Area Healthcare Coalition. The luncheon is by invitation only, but interested people can call Jim Fuzy, executive director, at 651-1961 to obtain an invitation. Bank announces dividend payout