Also . . .

* Chrysler Corp. said its U.S. sales fell 2% in March, dragged lower by a drop in car sales that offset rising sales of light trucks. Meanwhile, Torrance-based American Honda Motor Co. posted a 5% sales gain. Chrysler’s car sales fell 17%--its biggest drop since May. But sales of light trucks--which account for two-thirds of Chrysler sales--rose 6%.

* Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas put off until 2 p.m. today a decision on whether the nation’s cigarette makers must release about 39,000 internal documents in a closely watched Minnesota trial. His action apparently is aimed at giving him, or perhaps the full court, time to review the tobacco industry’s claims that “tens of thousands” of the documents are privileged information that should stay secret.

* The Justice Department has requested additional information on Aluminum Co. of America’s proposed $3.8-billion cash-and-stock acquisition of rival Alumax Inc. Under antitrust law, the request extends the waiting period during which the firms are prohibited from closing the deal.

* A former Salomon Smith Barney Inc. banker and five others were charged by regulators with making $1.8 million in illegal profits from insider trading involving WorldCom Inc.’s plans to purchase MCI Communications Corp. and other transactions. None of the accused could immediately be reached for comment.

* As losses continue to mount at Zenith Electronics Corp., the electronic equipment maker said its outside auditor has raised concerns about its ability to stay in business. Zenith, which hasn’t posted a full-year profit since 1988, said it plans a major restructuring that will include cutting costs and outsourcing. Zenith shares plunged $2.06 to $4.56 on the New York Stock Exchange.