Also:

* R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. raised its offer for Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. from $320 million to $340 million in cash, heating up a battle with Canadian tobacco company Rothmans Inc. for the small New Mexico company. The offer comes a day after Rothmans raised its initial bid from $275 million to $353.7 million. Calls placed to Santa Fe Natural, which makes additive-free American Spirit cigarettes, were not immediately returned.

* More than 5,000 machinists from United Technologies Corp.’s Pratt & Whitney aircraft engine business walked off the job after union and company negotiators failed to find common ground on pension and job security provisions for a new labor contract. The strike comes as demand for Pratt & Whitney’s engines is pressured by a financial crisis among commercial air carriers. Four plants were continuing operations with 2,000 salaried employees.

* Tyco International Ltd. agreed to buy infant diaper maker Paragon Trade Brands Inc. for $565 million. Paragon is majority owned by Wellspring Capital Management.