Also

* PG&E; Corp.’s Pacific Gas & Electric unit will sell $6.7 billion in bonds secured by a first mortgage on utility properties to help pay creditor claims of $12 billion as it exits bankruptcy protection.

* Cisco Systems Inc. and Alcatel agreed to end three years of patent litigation over data communications networks and telecommunications technology and to enter into a long-term cross-licensing agreement. Financial terms were not disclosed.

* The Bush administration denied a request by some fired IBM Corp. workers for extended unemployment assistance, saying they didn’t qualify under a program that helps those who lose their jobs because of trade.