ALSO. . .

Bethlehem Steel Corp. raised its offer for Lukens Inc. to $740 million in cash and stock from $650 million, topping a $715-million cash bid from Allegheny Teledyne Inc., in what analysts said could be an escalating battle for Lukens’ profitable steel-plate business. Allegheny Teledyne said it is “considering its options.” . . . Sony Corp. plans to buy a 5% stake in NextLevel Systems Inc. for about $188 million, giving the consumer electronics giant a role in developing and distributing the equipment that will connect cable television viewers to the Internet and interactive TV. . . . Sara Lee Corp. will sell nine U.S. plants to National Textiles for an estimated $450 million to trim its textile business and focus on selling rather than making brands such as Hanes underwear. The Chicago-based company said National Textiles, a newly formed and closely held company, will hire the plants’ 3,865 workers. . . . Lincoln National Corp. said it completed the $1.4-billion purchase of Cigna Corp.’s life insurance business, paving the way for 280 job cuts.