11.   Financial stocks rose on speculation mergers will help companies in the industry boost earnings.

12.   For Group Health, the merger could help it regain business and cut costs.

13.   For Massachusetts Mutual, a merger would help boost its sales of insurance for businesses and help the company cut expenses.

14.   He also said the merger would help Athena grow and add jobs.

15.   He said the merger would also help the combined company to expand its marketing in the Southwest by building new gas stations and adding convenience stores.

16.   However, Dr. Robert Feldman said that while the merger might help in the short run, it might actually hurt the hospitals in the long run.

17.   His best European picks have been helped by mergers.

18.   However, the merger will help the bank leverage its ability to appeal to a greater audience.

19.   HP has said that the merger would help the company become a broader technology products and services company that could better compete with IBM.

20.   If a merger would help both companies, most analysts said that on balance, it would be more beneficial to Nynex.