IN BRIEF
Another executive exits from slot maker
A second high-level executive has left slot machine giant International Game Technology this year.
The Reno-based company announced Tuesday evening that Bob Bittman, executive vice president of product strategy, would retire at the end of the year. Bittman will remain on IGT's board of directors, a position he has held since 2000. Bittman had worked for IGT since 1985.
In September, Steve Morro, the company's chief operating officer and No. 2 executive, resigned.
Morro hasn't been replaced and the company has been operating without a chief financial officer for more than a year.
Fidelity Investments discloses Sands stake
Fidelity Investments disclosed a 14.9 percent ownership stake in Las Vegas Sands Corp. Wednesday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The investment house said it controls 108.4 million shares of the casino operator's stock. Based on Wednesday's closing price of $5.31, the value of the Las Vegas Sands ownership is more than $575.8 million.
Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander said Fidelity has an institutional investor waiver from the regulatory body which approves the investment in any Nevada-based publicly traded gaming company.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. shares fell 22 cents, or 3.98 percent, Wednesday to close at $5.31 on the New York Stock Exchange.
Group of former suitors for Riviera splits apart
A group of major shareholders who had combined their stock to try to buy Riviera Holdings Corp. have split up.
The stockholders, which had operated as Riv Acquisition Holdings, will remain passive shareholders in the casino company.
Riv Acquisition Holdings, which controls approximately 20 percent of Riviera Holdings' shares, disclosed the decision to break apart Wednesday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The group's efforts to buy the company, which led to lawsuits and charges of collusion by the casino company, fizzled with tightening of the credit markets.
Riv Acquisition's third and last offer was $34 per share made in May 2007 for the company that owns the Riviera on the Strip and a casino in Colorado.
Riviera Holdings shares fell 15 cents, or 3.95 percent, Wednesday to close at $3.65 on the American Stock Exchange.
NEW YORK
Treasury prices fall, propping up yields
Treasury yields recovered modestly Wednesday after the government sold more debt amid investor demand that was slightly weaker than anticipated.
The 10-year note fell 0.38 points to 109.16, and its yield rose to 2.68 percent from 2.67 percent.
The 30-year bond fell 1 point to 127.16, and its yield rose to 3.09 percent from 3.04 percent.
