Business notebook

Settled: Computer chip supplier KLA-Tencor Corp. is the third company to settle allegations of improper backdating of stock options, after being accused by the SEC of concealing more than $200 million in compensation. The Silicon Valley company, which neither admitted nor denied the allegations, was not fined.

Big day: Shares of BladeLogic Inc., a Lexington maker of software for data centers, rose 47 percent in their first day of trading as investors bet demand for the company's products will boost sales. The shares rose $8.07 to $25.07, valuing BladeLogic at $649 million.

Shrinking verdict: LoJack Corp., a maker of stolen-car tracking devices, will appeal the cuts in a $36.7 million jury award to $1.2 million. The verdict was against a unit of IXYS Corp. in a breach-of-contract case.

Sold: Merck & Co. will buy NovaCardia Inc., an 11-employee San Diego drug development firm with a promising experimental heart drug, for $350 million,

Accused: A judge in Parma, Italy, charged the founder of Parmalat and two bankers with playing key roles in the collapse of the dairy giant, which brought the largest corporate bankruptcy ever in Europe.

Appointed: Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc. said David Kaye will become CFO, replacing president Walter Pressey, who filled in on an interim basis.

It's a deal: Microsoft's Massive unit has a deal with Electronic Arts Inc. to place ads on video games such as Madden NFL 08. Microsoft bought Massive to gain a bigger share of online-advertising software sales.

Another screen: Toronto-based IMAX will open its 13th venue in China in 2010, further expanding into the country's fast-growing market.

Case closed: ConAgra Foods Inc. will pay $45 million to settle SEC claims it overstated income by booking revenue prematurely and understating taxes.

Car radio: Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s installation rate in Chrysler cars will rise to 70 percent of 2008 car models from 40 percent in the previous model year as the automaker makes the radios standard.

Coffee plan: Starbucks is planning its first stores in Argentina and Chile. Mexican franchiser Alsea said it has signed a letter of intent with the US company on "development of Starbucks Coffee establishments."

(Globe wire services)