Kemper Securities Group Inc

When her stockbroker talked, Jean W. Jacobs listened. And now she says she is sorry she did. Jacobs, 76, has always lived simply. In October, 1985, she inherited $1 million from her sister. She continued living in her modest mobile home in a trailer park in Santa Ana and entrusted the money to a local stockbroker, Joseph J. Squillaciotti, to invest. Seven years later, Jacobs still lives in the same Kona Kai trailer park. But a substantial amount of her inheritance is gone, she says.

When her stockbroker talked, Jean W. Jacobs listened. And now she says she is sorry she did. Jacobs, 76, has always lived simply. In October, 1985, she inherited $1 million from her sister. She continued living in her modest mobile home in a trailer park in Santa Ana and entrusted the money to a local stockbroker, Joseph J. Squillaciotti, to invest. Seven years later, Jacobs still lives in the same Kona Kai trailer park. But a substantial amount of her inheritance is gone, she says.

Community Psychiatric Centers Inc., the latest victim of the troubled psychiatric care industry, said Friday that its third-quarter earnings plunged 98%. In heavy New York Stock Exchange trading, its share price sank 27% on the news. The Laguna Hills-based company blamed its dismal performance on pricing pressures and millions of dollars in uncollected bills. In addition, the company ratcheted down its offer to buy two Texas-based hospital companies, Healthcare International Inc.

Less than two weeks after reporting a 98% drop in third-quarter earnings, Community Psychiatric Centers International Inc. said Tuesday that it has abandoned its offer to buy two Texas health-care companies for an estimated $300 million. "For now, it's dead," said Community Psychiatric spokeswoman Suzanne Hovdey, adding: "What the future holds, I really can't say." Meanwhile, the hospital chain's stock hit a 52-week low of $15.50 on Monday, rebounding only slightly Tuesday to close at $15.

Three Valley residents, including a former Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeer, have been sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fraudulent stock-buying practice known as "free riding." The complaint, filed in U. S.

Community Psychiatric Centers Inc., the latest victim in the troubled psychiatric care industry, said Friday that its third-quarter earnings plunged 98%. In heavy New York Stock Exchange trading, its share price sank 27% on the news. The company blamed pricing pressures and millions of dollars in uncollected bills for its dismal performance. Also Friday, the company ratcheted down its offer to buy two hospital companies based in Austin, Tex.--Healthcare International Inc.

Hughes Aircraft is in final negotiations to acquire General Dynamics' missile business in Pomona and San Diego, a deal that would make Hughes one of the world's largest tactical missile firms, industry sources said Wednesday. General Dynamics Chairman William Anders told shareholders Wednesday at the firm's annual meeting that it is "now entering the final phase of negotiations for the sale of our missile business and could well announce a transaction in the near future."

A decade ago, when Martin Greenwald started Image Entertainment Inc., a Chatsworth laser disc distributor, "people literally laughed at us," he said. Today Image's investors--including America's richest man, John W. Kluge, who a holds 39% stake--aren't laughing, but they are still waiting for Image to turn a profit. Greenwald, an ex-stockbroker and former porno film distributor, said their wait is now over. And in an auspicious sign for the company, Walt Disney Co.

A decade ago, when Martin Greenwald started Image Entertainment Inc., a Chatsworth laser disc distributor, "people literally laughed at us," he said. Today, Image's investors--which include America's richest man, John W. Kluge, who owns 39% of Image's stock--aren't laughing, but they are still waiting for Image to turn a profit. Greenwald, an ex-stockbroker and former porno film distributor, said their waiting is now over. Of course, Greenwald has said that before.

Dan Butler's mother-in-law is 85, but she will often tell you that she is 63. Her failing memory has erased the recollection of an FHP sales representative who came to her home 15 months ago and signed her up as a member of the company's senior health plan. Her family first learned that she was signed up for FHP when she needed treatment for a broken finger. The Butlers took her to an FHP member hospital, but the company did not consider the broken finger to be an emergency.

A renegade machine-tool maker here is taking potshots at its mainstream U.S. competitors, triggering a nasty argument over how Uncle Sam should nurture the struggling but strategic industry. Portraying itself as the leading edge of the metal-cutting business, Hurco Cos. Inc. is opposing its own industry's effort to win continued protection from Far East imports and is calling for no-holds-barred competition.