THE TICKER // Nation

MCI challenges Ameritech service test WASHINGTON - MCI CommunicationsCorp. asked federal regulators Monday to stop Ameritech from testinglong-distance service in areas where it offers local phone service.The nation's second-largest long-distance company, MCI contends thatChicago-based Ameritech needs to get Federal CommunicationsCommission approval to test the service with employees. Ameritechsaid it doesn't.Compaq to cut prices on notebooks HOUSTON - Compaq Computer Corp.said Monday it will reduce prices on its Armada 1500 and 4100notebook computer lines by up to 25 percent, with some pricesstarting at $999. Compaq said the price on the 4110 notebook hasbeen reduced by 17 percent and now costs $999. The price on its4110D model, which includes a mobile CD-ROM unit, has been cut by 25percent to $1,198. Prices for the 1500 line, which feature CD-ROMand modem, range from $2,499 to $3,499, after price reductions of 5percent to 14 percent.Gasoline prices rise 5.22 cents LOS ANGELES - Gasoline prices, whichhad been falling, rose by more than a nickel during the most recentsurvey of the nation's gas stations, an industry analyst said. Thejump in Friday's survey represented an abrupt turnaround from theprevious survey July 25, analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday in LosAngeles. The average retail price of gasoline nationwide, includingall grades and taxes, was $1.2923 on Friday, up 5.22 cents from twoweeks prior, according to the Lundberg Survey of 10,000 stationsnationwide. Overall, prices are about a penny below what they were ayear ago.Reader's Digest CEO resigns PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. - Reader's DigestAssociation Inc. said James Schadt quit as chairman and chiefexecutive, after his attempts to diversify beyond its publishingroots and reach new customers failed. The company brought formerhead George Grune out of retirement to lead the publisher of Reader'sDigest Magazine until a successor is found. Grune, 68, who led thecompany through a decade of growth in the 1980s, will replace Schadt,59.Stock funds on billion-dollar roll NEW YORK - Stock funds tracked byMutual Fund Trim Tabs took in $1.48 billion in the three days endedThursday, Aug. 7 - the fourth straight time midweek inflows crossedthe $1 billion line.