SECURITIES

Settlement Near in Prudential Case: Prudential Securities said it is close to reaching agreement in a federal class-action lawsuit over failed energy partnerships. A source familiar with the talks said the tentative settlement is worth about $120 million in cash. Progress was reported as U.S. District Judge Marcel Livaudais held a status conference in New Orleans about the long-stalled class-action settlement. Prudential, the Wall Street securities firm formerly known as Prudential-Bache Securities, faces litigation from its sale of partnerships in some 12,000 oil and gas wells in 22 states.