Also

* Applied Materials Inc., a Santa Clara producer of machines that make computer chips, said it agreed to buy San Jose-based Metron Technology for $85 million to expand its services business.

* Belo Corp., publisher of the Dallas Morning News and owner of 19 television stations, said it would pay $23 million to advertisers for overstating circulation.

* A U.S. judge postponed the criminal fraud trial of HealthSouth Corp. founder Richard Scrushy from next week to Jan. 5. No reason was given for the delay.

* California Pizza Kitchen Inc., which operates, licenses or franchises 169 restaurants, said it would buy back as much as $20 million of its shares. It is the first buyback program for the Westchester-based company.