11.   Banco Popular SA and Banco Central Hispano SA shares gained amid speculation about a possible merger between the two banks.

12.   Bank and utility shares gained because they are some of the most sensitive to interest-rate swings.

13.   Bank shares gained for a second day on expectations that the Federal Reserve will continue to lower interest rates.

14.   Bank shares gained on optimism that loan activity will pick up as the cost of borrowing declines.

15.   Bank and utility shares gained, largely because their larger borrowers of capital, and their own financing costs are reduced when interest rates decline.

16.   Bank shares gained the most.

17.   Bank shares gained, while semiconductor and telephone stocks fell.

18.   Bank shares gained.

19.   Bank shares gained ahead of fiscal third-quarter earnings.

20.   Bank shares gained amid speculations that the campaign by the central bank to prod its banks to merge will help some of the smaller ailing banks.