Euro continues to gain in value

FRANKFURT, Germany - The euro's 11-month rally pushed to new heights Friday as the shared currency traded at levels not seen in three years.

The euro reached $1.044 in trading in Europe.

Its value has risen about 17 percent since February.

Most economists say the rally is fueled more by fears about the U.S. economy and stock market declines than by prospects for the 12 countries that use the euro.

Shareholder lawsuits settled for $55M

DALLAS - Kimberly-Clark Corp., the maker of Kleenex and Huggies, says a subsidiary and some of the unit's former executives and directors have agreed to pay $55 million to settle two shareholder lawsuits.

The company said Thursday that the wholly owned subsidiary, Safeskin Corp., did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement.

Kimberly-Clark acquired Safeskin, a manufacturer of disposable latex gloves and related products, in February 2000. The lawsuits related to events that occurred before the acquisition, the company said.

Owner of Hooters buys regional airline

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The owner of the Hooters restaurant chain has acquired a small North Carolina carrier with hopes of launching Hooters Air.

Hooters of America Inc. chairman Robert Brooks said Thursday he had bought Pace Airlines, a division of Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation.

The airline has 17 Boeing jets and 350 employees.

Mr. Brooks said he plans to establish a charter air service called Hooters Air and would provide leisure travel service for the golf industry to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

LensCrafters parent under probe in N.Y.

MILAN - Luxottica Group SpA, the biggest maker of luxury eyewear and parent of Cincinnati-based LensCrafters, is under investigation by the New York Attorney General for its pricing and distribution practices.

The Attorney General is investigating whether the Italian eyeglasses company broke state and federal antitrust laws, according to a statement Luxottica filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fla. gets telemarketer to agree to refund

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A telemarketer who called the home of a top lawyer in the attorney general's office has agreed to return money he solicited in Florida.

The automated call offered to help locate unclaimed money and property for $25. Florida provides the service for free.

Robert Barrere, operator of Claims Retrieval Center and Funds Recovery Center, also agreed to stop soliciting in Florida, the state announced Thursday.