Also

* Thomas Trauger, a former partner in Ernst & Young’s San Francisco office, pleaded guilty to falsifying records, destroying documents and blocking a regulatory investigation into NextCard Inc., a now-bankrupt Internet credit-card issuer.

* Radio giant Clear Channel Communications Inc. said third-quarter profit rose 10% to $261.2 million, or 44 cents a share, helped by strong sales of billboard advertising. Total sales rose 4.1% to $2.65 billion.

* Bank of America Corp. said it filed a claim for damages against former executives and auditors at Italy’s collapsed dairy giant Parmalat.

* Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said quarterly profit fell 16% on special charges and lower U.S. sales amid competition from rival brands and generics.