Buffett leaving Gillette board of directors

BOSTON - Billionaire investor Warren Buffett plans to leave The Gillette Co.'s board of directors, citing the increasing demands on his time as his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway, acquires new companies.

Mr. Buffett will have served on the Gillette board for 14 years when he leaves in May.

Cigna profits warning sends shares plunging

PHILADELPHIA - Cigna Corp. stock plunged 38 percent Friday after the insurance and financial services firm warned its profits for this year and next would be sharply lower than expected.

The company closed Friday at $39.39, down $24.21.

Trading was halted briefly after the company said it expected its operating income in 2003 to be between $875 million and $925 million, or $6.25 to $6.50 per share.

Analysts had predicted the company could earn as much as $8.84 cents per share.

P&O Princess accepts $5.4B Carnival offer

LONDON - P&O Princess Cruises PLC accepted a sweetened $5.4 billion takeover offer from Carnival Corp.

Peter Ratcliffe, P&O Princess chief executive, said his company's board had decided Carnival's latest offer was "financially superior" and that it was withdrawing support for a Royal Caribbean deal.