Briefcase

Companies driving up costs of auto insurance

Motorists are expected to pay an average of about 6 percent more this year for auto insurance, slightly better than the 8.5 percent boost last year. The average driver will pay an estimated $898 this year for coverage, up from $847 last year and $668 in 1995, according to the New York-based Insurance Information Institute, a trade group.

Blame rising claims and more costly post-collision repairs — which has been aggravated by sport utility vehicles, the III said.

Competition heats up to offer latest in games

Nintendo Co.’s next portable game gadget will sport two screens but still fit in the palm of your hand.

Nintendo said players will be able to view action simultaneously from two perspectives, avoiding disruptions in game play.

Nintendo, which makes the popular Game Boy Advance portable, expects to launch the machine, code-named Nintendo DS, by year’s end.

The Nintendo DS will face stiff competition from Sony Corp., which plans to launch its own portable device, dubbed the PSP. Sony, maker of the leading PlayStation console, says its gadget will play games, music and video. Nintendo said it would market the DS machine separately from its Game Boys and GameCube consoles.

Nintendo and Sony plan to release more details in May at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.

Motley Fool: Name that company

Founded in 1962 in California, I began by selling beanbags, love beads and incense. Today I’m based in Texas and operate more than 1,000 home fashions stores around the world. In my last fiscal year, I raked in nearly $2 billion in sales. I employ roughly 18,000 people, and my buyers scour merchandise from more than 50 nations. Sixty-five percent of my merchandise is different each year. My recent marketing campaign encourages shoppers to “get in touch” with their senses. Whoever doesn’t like me can take a long walk off a short me. Who am I?