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Air Jordans keeping some fast company

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 4, 2007

Fighter jets and basketball shoes might seem to have little in common. Just don't tell Michael Jordan. The retired hoops god found inspiration for the 22nd iteration of his Air Jordan shoes, set to be released next month, in the stealthy, supersonic F-22 Raptor. Fashion reporters toured the Raptor's Marietta, Ga., assembly line recently for a close look at the high-tech planes and flashy shoes. "M.J. is all about stealth," said Josiah Lake, footwear product director for Nike's Jordan brand. "He played the game with stealth and agility - the same way the F-22 flies." The high-top basketball shoes, introduced in the mid-1980s, will retail for about $175.

Three chipmakers fall from grace

Shares of computer-chipmakers will underperform the Standard & Poor's 500 Index in the first six months of 2007, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said in a note to clients. As a result, Goldman cut Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Applied Materials Inc. and Credence Systems Corp. to "sell" from "neutral." Texas Instruments Inc. and Micron Technology Inc. were raised to "neutral" from "sell" at Goldman as these companies underperformed last year and have "limited downside."

Don't be surprised if the boss says no

Employers are spending much more on employee benefits than they did back in 1960. A study released Wednesday by the nonprofit Employee Benefit Research Institute in Washington, D.C., found that of the $7-trillion employers spent on workers in 2005, 80.6 percent went to wages and salaries and 19.4 percent went to benefits. In 1960, wages and salaries accounted for about 92 percent of employer spending for total compensation, EBRI said. Analysis of 2005 Commerce Department Data also found that:

- Retirement benefits cost employers $628.4-billion, up from $458.8-billion in 2000.

- Health benefits totaled $596.5-billion, up from $399.6-billion in 2000.

- Other benefits, including unemployment and life insurance, cost $138.3-billion, up from $94.2-billion in 2000.

If you snooze, you lose your SkyMiles

Procrastinators, namely frequent fliers on Delta Air Lines, won't like this. Starting this month, miles in SkyMiles accounts that show no activity for two years will expire, the airline said. Miles used to last three years. But keeping an account active does not require flying. "Any activity at all keeps the miles in the accounts," said Gina Laughlin, a Delta spokeswoman. "We continue to make it easier for customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles." Delta also announced that frequent fliers will have a new award option. Instead of traveling coach, business class or first class on round-trips, SkyMiles passengers can travel coach on one leg of the trip and business class or first class on another.

[Last modified January 3, 2007, 22:59:39]