Also . . .

A Boeing Co. executive who led an effort to cut manufacturing costs at the world’s biggest jet maker is leaving earlier than planned after the effort bogged down amid unprecedented production snarls. Bob Hammer will retire in April after a 37-year career at Boeing, according to a memo sent to employees. He will be replaced by Jeff Peace, head of the Boeing Commercial Airplanes division. Boeing said Hammer’s retirement is not related to the production problems.

*

Chevron Corp. agreed to pay about $91 million in stock for Rutherford-Moran Oil Corp., an independent oil and gas producer based in Houston, to enter the natural gas market in Thailand. Chevron will also assume more than $300 million in debt.