Comcast has sold exclusive advertising rights to New Balance, the footwear maker, for several million dollars.

Reebok rose by 1 7/8, to 18 1/4, on continued earnings optimism for athletic footwear makers.

The second includes businesses based solely on customized goods - sites like Reflect.com and Customatix.com, a footwear maker.

However, because of efforts by yukata makers and footwear makers, Japanese people are starting to like to wear geta again.

Merrill Lynch lowered its earnings estimate on the athletic footwear maker for 1989.

Phil Knight, chairman of Nike, the world's largest footwear maker, said the movement had gotten his company to accelerate efforts to improve conditions.

Both stocks continued to be buoyed by strong earnings outlooks for athletic footwear makers.

Originally a footwear maker only, the company has since added leather production and accessories to its extensive range of mens, women's, and children's shoes.

L.A. Gear, the athletic footwear maker that was hit hard last week on its outlook, fell 1/8, to 30 5/8, leading the most active list.

Rising for the third consecutive day, L.A. Gear, the footwear maker, added another 3/4, to 36 1/8, with 1.29 million shares changing hands.