Also

* The cost of funds index for savings institutions in the Federal Home Loan Bank’s 11th District edged higher in July to 1.816% from 1.758% in June. The index is a popular benchmark for adjustable-rate mortgages on the West Coast and tends to lag behind changes in market interest rates by several months.

* PG&E; Corp., owner of California’s largest utility, agreed to a settlement with its National Energy & Gas Transmission Inc. subsidiary over the parent company’s use of deductions and losses from the unit to lower its taxes. The agreement will free up about $350 million that can be used for stock buybacks, San Francisco-based PG&E; said.