Also

* El Paso Corp., owner of the largest U.S. network of interstate natural-gas pipelines, said a court in Arizona approved a settlement with the state over litigation stemming from the Western energy crisis in 2000 and 2001. As part of the settlement, El Paso will provide grants totaling $3.4 million for programs in the state.

* Gartner Inc., which sells technology industry research, agreed to buy Meta Group Inc. for $162 million to add to its research capabilities and sales staff.

* Art Technology Group Inc., which makes software to help companies process Internet orders and manage customer service, fired 125 workers as it combined with Primus Knowledge Solutions Inc.