Nation

DOW SQUEAKS IN NEW RECORD: The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.50 to 8,370.10 as a last-minute push wiped out the remnants of an early 57-point slide. Though slight, the gain meant a fourth straight record close for the Dow. Broader measures, however, finally succumbed to some profit-taking on a second day of declines in Asia.

PETA PIES P&G CHIEF: An animal-rights activist walked onto a stage in Columbus, Ohio, and pushed a tofu cream pie into the face of the chairman of Procter & Gamble Co. as he was receiving an award from the governor Thursday night. The woman, a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, hit John Pepper with the pie and said: "Procter & Gamble poisons animals! Shame on you, John Pepper! Shame on you!" Melynda Duval, 32, of Virginia Beach, Va., was charged with disrupting a lawful meeting. Michael McGraw, a spokesman for PETA in Norfolk, Va., said P&G's use of live animals in laboratory product testing prompted the attack.

Tampa Bay/State

MAXXIM TO ISSUE STOCK: Maxxim Medical Inc. will issue 3.5-million shares of common stock in a secondary offering. In documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Maxxim said the proceeds will be used to repay debt and expand the company's glove production capacity. Maxxim, of Clearwater, manufactures and develops single-use medical supplies. The company reported revenues of $529.5-million in 1997. Its shares closed Friday at $23.31\, down 62{ cents.

IRS HELP DAY: The Internal Revenue Service is conducting a "Problem Solving Day" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the IRS office at 2203 N Lois Ave., Tampa. You're invited to come by if you'd like help with a problem or with your 1997 tax return. Be sure to bring along your paperwork.

Earnings

HARVARD INDUSTRIES INC.: The Tampa-based auto parts and accessories producer reported a first-quarter loss of $5.5-million, compared with a loss of $34.4-million a year earlier. Revenues were $197-million, compared with $187.3-million a year ago. "We are encouraged by the upward trend of our financials as we continue our restructuring,'" said CEO Roger Pollazzi.

DOW DOLLAR YIELD

30 INDUSTRIALS VS. JAPANESE YEN 30-YEAR U.S. BOND

8370.10 125.20 5.84

+0.50 +0.67 -0.02