Also

* MCI Inc. said it would pay $315 million as part of a settlement with 15 states and the District of Columbia over tax claims.

* Washington Mutual Inc., the biggest U.S. savings and loan, completed its $6.1-billion purchase of Providian Financial Corp.

* A New York judge denied bail to Tyco International Ltd.’s former chief executive, L. Dennis Kozlowski, and former finance chief, Mark Swartz, leaving them in prison while they appeal their convictions for looting $150 million from the company.

* The Bush administration said it would appeal last week’s World Trade Organization ruling that said the U.S. fell short in its attempt to eliminate an illegal tax rebate program for exporters.