Boeing deliveries close to target

Boeing Co. said Thursday it delivered 97 commercial airplanes in the second quarter, bringing its midyear total to just under half its full-year forecast.

The world’s No. 2 maker of commercial planes behind Airbus SAS now needs 200 deliveries in the second half of the year to meet its estimate of 395 in 2006.

The second-quarter total was its highest since 2002, when it delivered 112 during the period, and 12 more than a year ago. It included 70 of its single-aisle 737s; 17 widebody 777s; four 747s; three 767s; and one 717. In the first quarter, Boeing delivered 98 commercial planes.

Boeing reports second-quarter earnings on July 26.

Columbia, Mo.

University mulls future of Lay’s gift

Kenneth Lay’s sudden death of a heart attack on Wednesday in Colorado put officials at his alma mater in the position of having to deflect comment about the former Enron Corp. founder’s unspent endowment – even as they wrestle with how, and whether, to honor their infamous donor.

For seven years, the University of Missouri-Columbia has tried without success to fill the endowed Kenneth L. Lay Chair in Economics, created by his donation of more than $1 million in Enron stock that the university sold before the company collapsed.

Since Enron sought bankruptcy protection in 2001, the university has resisted calls by some faculty members, alumni and even the school’s chancellor for the donation to be returned, steered toward a chair in business ethics, or given to jilted Enron investors if Lay were found guilty of criminal acts. In late May, a Texas jury convicted Lay of conspiracy and fraud.

Toronto

Hollinger Inc. sues former boss Black

Hollinger Inc., a Canadian holding company once controlled by Conrad Black, sued the former newspaper magnate and several longtime associates Thursday seeking more than $600 million for alleged wrongs dating to the 1990s.

The lawsuit is the latest of many multimillion-dollar claims between Black and the companies he controlled until his Hollinger newspaper empire began to unravel in 2003 with allegations of financial improprieties.

Hollinger Inc. said in the filing in Ontario Superior Court that it seeks damages for alleged breach of contract, conspiracy, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and unlawful interference.

Named besides Black are his wife, Barbara Amiel-Black, and Ravelston Corp.