11.   This should keep downward pressure on inflation, which comforts bond investors and supports the stock market.

12.   But investors were comforted by testimony on the state of the economy by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who was speaking before Congress Wednesday.

13.   Mahathir will also continue to hold the key finance portfolio for the next year, which should comfort investors.

14.   The franchise agreement and resumption of trading would comfort investors and clear a cloud hanging over the company.