MORE ON TECH : Tax Court Rules Against Compaq

An $888-million stock transaction executed in an hour in 1992 by Compaq Computer Corp. was put together solely to avoid U.S. income taxes, the U.S. Tax Court ruled. As a result, the Tax Court said a $3.4-million tax credit claimed by Compaq will be disallowed, and the Houston-based computer maker will be assessed an unspecified accuracy-related penalty because of negligence. Compaq said it was considering an appeal.