Also. . .

* Beckman Coulter Inc., a Fullerton-based maker of laboratory and diagnostic systems whose shares have climbed 51% this year, said it will split its common stock 2 for 1. Shareholders of record as of Nov. 15 will receive an additional share for each share they already own, payable Dec. 7. The company said it will also increase its quarterly cash dividend to 17 cents a share on a pre-split basis to stockholders Oct. 20. from 16 cents. Beckman Coulter sells drug makers and biotechnology companies hardware and chemicals used in labs. Shares rose $1.50 to close at $76.63 on the NYSE.