OTHER NEWS - Dec. 3, 1994

Whirlpool Subject of Justice Department Probe: The appliance maker’s stock fell in heavy trading after word leaked out that it was being investigated by federal antitrust authorities. The leaker was its jilted former customer, Best Buy. County Natwest analyst Nicholas Heymann said the probe could make it difficult for Whirlpool to raise prices, something the company needs to do to protect its profits. Whirlpool spokeswoman Robin Skiles said the company decided to stop selling its Whirlpool brand through Best Buy because Best Buy operates largely as a discount warehouse operation and this conflicts with Whirlpool’s strategy.