91.   Investors hope that a resolution to the impasse will encourage the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, spurring economic growth.

92.   Japanese stocks fell for a second successive day, led by auto and steel shares, amid concern that economic growth will be less robust than investors previously hoped.

93.   Many investors had hoped for a larger increase.

94.   Many investors were hoping that Sir Rocco would relinquish his chief executive responsibilities and remain as chairman, while others felt the split should have been made long ago.

95.   Minnesota stocks rose for a third straight day, led by Green Tree Financial Corp. and Norwest Corp., as investors hoped for an interest-rate cut.

96.   Most venture capital investors hope to cash out of their investments eventually when their offspring go public or get acquired.

97.   Now investors hope a secret manufacturing project gives them reason to forgive.

98.   Not surprisingly, sales of automated software tools and consulting services are surging, even if that rate of growth is not as fast as investors hoped.

99.   Of course, investors will hope that the message translates into better service and performance.

100.   On Wall Street, where investors had been hoping for a sale of the unit, the news was met with surprised disappointment.