91.   Many analysts had been forecasting a slight narrowing in the gap, believing that the slowing U.S. economy would dampen demand for foreign products.

92.   Media companies also rose as analysts forecast a wave of new partnerships.

93.   Many analysts forecast that a fourth cut in the federal funds rate could occur within a matter of weeks if the economy remains weak.

94.   Media companies like Disney and News Corp. also rose as analysts forecast a wave of new partnerships.

95.   Most analysts are forecasting a gradual rise through one-quarter percentage point moves in the federal funds rate.

96.   Most economists expect the Fed to raise interest rates a quarter percentage point, but some analysts are forecasting a steeper increase.

97.   One energy analyst forecast that the overall decrease in oil output would nudge gasoline prices higher but said he expected the rise would be modest.

98.   Prices of crude oil tumbled on world markets, but oil companies rose as analysts forecast improved profit margins.

99.   Still, other analysts have forecast the ECB will make no change until next year.

100.   The decline was steeper than analysts forecast.