Business: Business digest

GENDER WAGE GAP GROWS: The wage gap between female managers and their male counterparts was even greater in 2000 than it had been five years earlier, the General Accounting Office found. Full-time female managers earned less than male managers in all 10 industries studied in 1995 and 2000. In seven fields, the earnings gap grew during the five-year period.

JOBLESS CLAIMS FALL: New claims for state unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in six months, the Labor Department reported. Initial jobless claims fell by 15,000 to 376,000. That's the lowest level since the last week of July. The four-week moving average of claims, a less volatile indicator, fell by 8,750 to 404,250 last week, the lowest level since the week ended Sept. 1.

FLEMING RESUMES SHIPMENTS: Fleming Cos. has resumed shipping products to Kmart Corp., after a bankruptcy court approved a payment of $76-million to the supplier. Fleming, the primary food and consumer products supplier to Kmart, was named a critical vendor by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where the discounter filed for Chapter 11 on Tuesday. Bill Marquard, executive vice president of Fleming, said the inventory for Kmart stores began leaving warehouses Wednesday.

GATEWAY RESTRUCTURES: Gateway Inc. said it will eliminate 2,250 jobs and close 19 stores in Florida and eight other states to cut costs. The cuts, which include several offices, came as the company reported a net profit of $9.4-million, or 3 cents per share, reversing a year ago loss of $128-million, or 40 cents per share. Gateway cut 5,000 workers last year. Gateway shares closed the regular session at $6.36, up 24 cents.

ALLTEL PULLS BACK: Alltel Corp. said it plans to reduce the number of markets in which it is a competitive provider of local telephone services. Kevin Beebe, group president of Alltel's communications business, said the company will stop competing for customers in its "worst-performing markets," which are in seven states. He wasn't more specific. Separately, Alltel said chief executive Joe Ford will step down effective July 1 and be replaced by his son Scott, who's currently president. Joe Ford will remain chairman. Shares of Alltel rose $2.39 to $58.46.

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