Ticker Talk

Morningstar Inc., known for 15 years for analyzing and rating mutual funds, said it will offer investment advice via the Internet to retirement plans next year, its first foray into the advisory business.

Chicago-based Morningstar formed a registered investment advisor last month--Morningstar Associates--and in January plans to pitch its advice online, initially to 401(k) retirement plans. It plans to eventually offer advice to individual investors. . . .

Converse Inc., the maker of All-Star sneakers, said its market value has fallen below the New York Stock Exchange’s minimum listing standard and that it might be delisted.

The value of Converse’s common shares outstanding is about $35 million, while the NYSE requires a market value of $50 million.

Shares of North Reading, Mass.-based Converse fell 25 cents to close at $1.75.