11.   Bank shares also helped lead the benchmark index down.

12.   Banks, electronic manufacturers and carmakers -- the stocks that move the benchmark indices -- all rose.

13.   Bangkok Bank Pcl and Siam Cement Co., the biggest foreign debtor, took the most off the benchmark index.

14.   BELGIAN stocks were mixed as losses by Fortis AG and Generale de Banque pulled the benchmark index lower amid rising bond yields.

15.   Benchmark indexes in the U.K. and Germany posted smaller gains.

16.   Benchmark stock indexes also climbed in South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

17.   Benchmark stock indexes fell more than one-half percent in the U.K. Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

18.   Benchmark indexes in Asia tumbled as currencies in the region fell, driving interest rates higher and crushing local businesses that need to pay dollar-denominated debt.

19.   Benchmark indexes in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore and Thailand gained as companies tried to persuade investors they can fend off defaults and bankruptcies.

20.   Benchmark indices elsewhere in East Asia also rose.