Also. . .

General Electric Co.’s profit rose 11% in the first quarter, led by a 16% rise in profit at its GE Capital unit. Earnings for the three months ended March 31 were $1.677 billion, or $1.02 a share, compared with $1.515 billion, or 91 cents, a year ago. . . . Underwear makers VF Corp. and Maidenform Worldwide Inc. said they have terminated their discussions about a possible merger. No reason was given. . . . Lucent Technologies Inc., the former equipment arm of AT&T; Corp., said Philadelphia-based Bell Atlantic Corp. agreed to buy as much as $1 billion worth of phone equipment over five years as part of a lawsuit settlement between Bell Atlantic and AT&T.; . . . Japan’s Nippon Credit Bank Ltd., struggling with massive bad debts, said Bankers Trust New York Corp. will take over its overseas operations. Terms were not disclosed.