ALSO

In a move targeted at outdoor-oriented consumers, Subaru of America, the U.S. marketing arm of Japanese auto maker Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., and venerable U.S. wilderness and outdoor outfitter L.L. Bean today will announce a licensing partnership. The agreement makes Subaru the “official vehicle of L.L. Bean” and Bean the “official outfitter to Subaru,” they said.

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Microsoft Corp. and the federal government have been engaged in talks to settle the U.S.’ huge antitrust case against the software maker. But if no agreement is reached, the company and the government are due back in court Tuesday for closing arguments before U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson. Jackson found that the company had engaged in monopolistic practices in a preliminary ruling Nov. 5.

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UAL Corp.’s United Airlines and Delta Air Lines said they increased ticket prices during the weekend, following the lead of Continental Airlines. The airlines blamed rising jet fuel costs. Other airlines were expected to join in the fare hike, but there was no confirmation by late Sunday. The specific increments of Delta’s ticket prices were not announced. Continental’s price hikes on base domestic fares took effect Friday, ranging from $5 to $15 one way. Earlier this year, most major U.S. carriers levied a “fuel surcharge,” boosting domestic fares $10 on one-way fares, or $20 on round-trip fares.

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Renault, France’s second-biggest auto maker, has completed its due diligence on Samsung Motor Inc. after six weeks and may submit an offer for Korea’s smallest car maker by the end of this month, Samsung’s main creditor said. Creditors are awaiting a price offer from Renault now that the evaluation has been completed.

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Revlon Inc. has agreed to sell its professional-products business to an investment group led by the unit’s chairman for $315 million. The sale is part of a plan to help Revlon pay off debt and return to profitability. The deal was announced by British buyout firm CVC Capital Partners with Carlos Colomer, who is chairman of Revlon Professional Products Worldwide, and other investors. Revlon reported a fourth quarter net loss of $168.7 million, or $3.29 per share, compared with a loss of $69.1 million, or $1.35, a year ago. The company expects to net savings from restructuring of $45 million to $50 million starting this year. Sales fell 35% to $414.4 million during the quarter.