Perm Fund grows

ANCHORAGE -- The Alaska Permanent Fund grew by $750 million in December, despite wide swings in the stock market. The state's oil-wealth savings account ended the year with a market value of $26.8 billion.

Its U.S. stock holdings totaled $8.9 billion, or up $93 million for the month. Its foreign stocks performed the best, reaching $4.3 billion.

AHFC lending on rise

ANCHORAGE -- The Alaska Housing Finance Corp. financed 429 single-family loans in November, about a third more than a year earlier, the state lending agency said.

Its November delinquency rate on homes it has funded was 2.82 percent, down from 2.95 percent a year earlier but up from 2.18 percent in October, the agency said.

Among its mobile home loans, the delinquency rate in November was 7.39 percent, down from 9.19 percent a year earlier but up from 7.02 percent in October, AHFC said.

The agency said it held one single-family/duplex home in foreclosure during November, compared with four single-family/duplex homes a year earlier.

In all, the agency said it had 29,462 active loans in November, up from 27,410 a year earlier.

Knowles taps RDC chief

JUNEAU -- Ken Freeman, the executive director of the Resource Development Council, has been appointed Gov. Tony Knowles' special assistant for business and gas line development.

Freeman, 31, formerly worked as press secretary to the Republican majority in the Alaska Legislature.

Knowles, a Democrat, cited Freeman's experience in economic development issues and his strong working relationship with the business community.

PFD applications sent

JUNEAU -- Alaskans can begin signing up for their 2001 Alaska Permanent Fund dividend checks.

The application booklets are arriving in mailboxes around the state. For those Alaskans who want to save time and paper, the state has an online application form available at (www.pfd.state.ak.us).

This is the second year the state has offered electronic filing. Nanci Jones, director of the state's Permanent Fund Dividend Division, said the online system checks to make sure all the requested information is complete.

A signature page automatically opens on screen when the applicant clicks the "submit" button. Applicants must print the signature page and mail it to the dividend office before their application is complete. A confirmation number is listed at the bottom of the printed signature page. Applicants should keep a copy for their files.

The application deadline is April 2. Paper applicants must have their forms postmarked by that date.

The amount of the 2001 dividend will be announced in late September. Payments by direct deposit will be made Oct. 10, with checks to follow later in the month.

NATION

Rollover resistance rated

WASHINGTON -- The federal government on Jan. 9 issued its first ratings of passenger vehicles' resistance to rollover crashes, which kill more than 10,000 people every year.

Only one vehicle among three dozen 2001 models tested, the four-door Honda Accord, received the top rating of five stars. The lowest rating of one star was given to two, both sport-utility vehicles. They were the Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Jimmy/Envoy four-door 4x4 models.

Several passenger cars, two light trucks -- the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra ExCab 4x4 models -- and two vans -- Honda Odyssey and Chrysler PT Cruiser -- were given four stars.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said more than 60 percent of the SUV occupants killed in 1999 died in rollover crashes. By comparison, 23 percent of car occupants killed died when their vehicles rolled over.

Nordstrom outlook grim

SEATTLE -- Nordstrom Inc. sales were disappointing in December, the clothing chain said Jan. 5 in warning that fourth-quarter earnings will be below expectations.

Nordstrom said fourth-quarter earnings will be 18 to 23 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by First Call Corp. had estimated profits at 38 cents a share. A year ago, the company reported profits of 50 cents a share, or $66.5 million.

Nordstrom, which plans to release its fourth-quarter results Feb. 22, said preliminary figures showed sales at stores open at least a year -- considered the best measure of a retailer's performance -- were down 2.9 percent.

Compiled from business wire reports.