Dec. 16--In perhaps a sign of the times, car-parts retailer O'Reilly Automotive Inc. will be added to the Nasdaq 100 next week.

The index takes in the largest companies whose shares trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Companies from all sectors of the economy are eligible, except financial firms, which get their own top 100 index at Nasdaq.

Nasdaq adjusts the list quarterly. Its year-end juggling typically makes the most changes.

O'Reilly makes the new cut, thanks in part to its relatively stable stock performance this year. Shares have fallen 12 percent, which is considerably better than the 43 percent drop in the Nasdaq 100.

The distinction is important because market value is the measurement Nasdaq uses to weigh which of its listed companies is "largest." Market value multiplies the stock price by the number of shares outstanding.

That is bad news for firms whose shares are getting the boot. Among them, for example, is Sirius XM Radio Inc., whose stock has lost 95 percent of its value this year.

O'Reilly, based in Springfield, Mo., joins Olathe-based Garmin Ltd., added in 2003, as the only two Star 50 companies on the index.

As a bet on the economy, O'Reilly makes for a logical choice. It sells replacement auto parts to professional and do-it-yourself mechanics, the stuff that will keep the current fleet operating now that sales of new cars have swooned.

O'Reilly also expanded its market share with an acquisition this summer of CSK Auto, which has outlets in mostly Western states. As of Sept. 30, its chain encompassed 3,277 stores in 38 states.

O'Reilly shares fell 6 cents Monday to close at $28.49.

Kansas City Southern plans to issue $175 million in new five-year notes to provide part of the money to buy back $200 million in other notes due next year.

The rail company's filing at the Securities and Exchange Commission on the senior notes offering did not indicate the interest rate the new notes will pay. Kansas City Southern pays 7.5 percent on the senior notes it seeks to repurchase.

The announcement comes after word Friday that the weak economy had cut into revenues and that Kansas City Southern no longer expected to post double-digit revenue growth this year. To compensate, the company is cutting capital spending plans.

Investors can get information on stocks and mutual funds free online at The Kansas City Star's Web site. Just go to the Business page at KansasCity.com.

The Associated Press contributed

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