Reader’s Digest to Launch New Products

Reader’s Digest Assn. Inc. said it wants to lend its name to credit cards, insurance policies and other new products as circulation at its flagship magazine declines. Chief Executive Thomas Ryder told analysts the company plans to launch a range of non-publishing products--focusing first on financial services and health--as it continues efforts to revive profit. Like other media companies, Pleasantville, N.Y.-based Reader’s Digest is also boosting its presence online, investing $100 million to upgrade its current Web sites, buy sites or create new ones. Reader’s Digest stock rose 63 cents to close at $31.19 on the NYSE.