I'm going to spread some rumors that were told to me last week by a couple of stock traders.

Specifically, I'm going to tell you that I hear (as in "I hear a rumor") that a group of investors purchased a 3 percent stake in Paramount Communications.

In case that one doesn't interest you, I'm also going to tell you that I hear (again, as in "rumor") that someone might be interested in acquiring Perry Drug.

I'm not going to check out either rumor, quite frankly, because it's too much trouble. And besides, I think I can trust the guys who told me the rumors even if they do have a vested interest in spreading them.

I could call the companies involved, but they'll just say "no comment." ...