Also

* Cendant Corp. said it plans to buy vacation time-share operator Equivest Finance Inc. for about $98 million, or about $3 a share. The news sent Equivest stock soaring $1.70 to $2.95 in Nasdaq.

* NationsRent Inc., which rents heavy construction equipment to contractors, said it’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as a result of an industry slowdown. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based company also announced the resignation of its chairman and chief executive, James Kirk.

* Wild Oats Markets Inc., North America’s second-largest natural foods grocer, said it named former Gap Inc. executive Edward Dunlap chief financial officer. He replaces Frances Rathke, who joined the company to serve as interim CFO in July after Mary Beth Lewis resigned.

* Russell Corp., the maker of Russell Athletic, Cross Creek and Jerzees sportswear, said it will close a distribution center and eliminate more than 200 jobs, or 1.4% of its work force, to save money and increase profit next year.