ALSO...

* General Electric Co. said it plans to form its first engine-service joint venture in Japan, part of an effort to sell more high-margin service contracts. GE agreed to buy a controlling stake in the engine-service venture of Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. and All Nippon Airways Co. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. GE’s Aircraft Engines unit expects more than $5 billion in 1999 revenue to come from services, which generate more profit than selling engines alone. Last year, almost half of the $10.3 billion in sales at GE Aircraft Engines came from services, up from about 38% in 1997. The new venture in Japan will begin in April, operating out of Yokoshiba, Japan. Shares of Fairfield, Conn.-based GE closed unchanged at $134 on the NYSE.

* TRW Inc. tapped David Cote, head of General Electric Co.’s appliance business, as its chief operating officer to oversee the revamping of TRW’s ailing automotive business. Cote, 47, replaces Peter Hellman, who left Cleveland-based TRW in February. Cote had been a member of GE’s corporate executive council, which is made up of the chief executives of each of GE’s major businesses. At TRW, he will report to CEO Joseph Gorman.