Kaiser Ventures Inc

Shareholders of Ontario, Calif.-based Kaiser Resources Inc. voted to change the company's name to Kaiser Ventures Inc., ending a dispute with a Canadian company.

PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. and WellPoint Health Networks Inc., two of the nation's largest health maintenance organizations, on Wednesday reported higher third-quarter earnings as health plan premiums rose. PacifiCare's profit from operations rose 12% to $71 million, or $1.58 a share, from $63.4 million, or $1.38, a year ago, the Santa Ana-based company said. WellPoint's net income rose 14% to $76.2 million, or $1.11 a share, from profit from operations of $66.

Kaiser Ventures Inc. said its two largest shareholders--a pension fund for retired steel workers and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.--are seeking a sale of part or all of the company. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, advisors for the two investors said they've agreed to share information and discuss various options to increase the value of their holdings, including selling their stock, assets or the entire company.

Kaiser Ventures Inc., a spinoff of defunct Kaiser Steel Corp. that has holdings in racetracks, a prison and water wells, said Friday that it has hired Merrill Lynch to explore the possibility of selling off some of its major real estate assets. The decision to hire an advisor comes after the company's two largest shareholders in October pressured Kaiser to come up with a plan for increasing the value of their holdings.

Kaiser Ventures Inc., a spinoff of defunct Kaiser Steel Corp. that has holdings in racetracks, a prison and water wells, said Friday that it has hired Merrill Lynch to explore the possibility of selling off some of its major real estate assets. The decision to hire an advisor comes after the company's two largest shareholders in October pressured Kaiser to come up with a plan for increasing the value of their holdings.

By the time Kaiser Steel Corp. staggered into bankruptcy in 1987, the once-mighty manufacturer's only products were lawsuits, debts and bitterness. The company founded by Henry Kaiser in 1941 to churn out steel for World War II warships was felled by a devastating combination of market forces and financial opportunism. But in the decade since the demise of San Bernardino County's largest industrial employer, Kaiser Ventures Inc.

PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. and WellPoint Health Networks Inc., two of the nation's largest health maintenance organizations, on Wednesday reported higher third-quarter earnings as health plan premiums rose. PacifiCare's profit from operations rose 12% to $71 million, or $1.58 a share, from $63.4 million, or $1.38, a year ago, the Santa Ana-based company said. WellPoint's net income rose 14% to $76.2 million, or $1.11 a share, from profit from operations of $66.

Drive down Coke Oven Road and you'll be on the back straightaway of the about-to-be-built California Speedway's two-mile tri-oval. Before construction can start, however, the sign that says "DANGER--Molten Slag Being Carried" must be removed. The front of the tri-oval is harder to define.

* Ontario-based Kaiser Ventures Inc. reported second-quarter net income of $491,000, or 5 cents per share, on revenue of $3.1 million, compared with $604,000, or 6 cents, on revenue of $3.2 million a year ago. * Pasadena-based Paula Financial reported a second-quarter loss of $8 million, or $1.26 per share, contrasted with net income of $1.4 million, or 34 cents, a year ago.

Catellus Development Corp. said it paid $16 million for the 588-acre property in San Bernardino County that it will develop into a giant industrial park and truck plaza. A subsidiary of the real estate development firm will eventually construct 6 million square feet of industrial space at the Kaiser Commerce Center in the Fontana area. The property, which is located near the intersection of Interstates 10 and 15, was purchased from Kaiser Ventures Inc.

Kaiser Ventures Inc. said its two largest shareholders--a pension fund for retired steel workers and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.--are seeking a sale of part or all of the company. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, advisors for the two investors said they've agreed to share information and discuss various options to increase the value of their holdings, including selling their stock, assets or the entire company.

By the time Kaiser Steel Corp. staggered into bankruptcy in 1987, the once-mighty manufacturer's only products were lawsuits, debts and bitterness. The company founded by Henry Kaiser in 1941 to churn out steel for World War II warships was felled by a devastating combination of market forces and financial opportunism. But in the decade since the demise of San Bernardino County's largest industrial employer, Kaiser Ventures Inc.

Drive down Coke Oven Road and you'll be on the back straightaway of the about-to-be-built California Speedway's two-mile tri-oval. Before construction can start, however, the sign that says "DANGER--Molten Slag Being Carried" must be removed. The front of the tri-oval is harder to define.

Shareholders of Ontario, Calif.-based Kaiser Resources Inc. voted to change the company's name to Kaiser Ventures Inc., ending a dispute with a Canadian company.