11.   Before they were stunned by the defeat, the Rockets were numbed by speculation of a possible six-player trade with the Toronto Raptors.

12.   Blum also said recent market speculation of a planned merger between SBC and Zurich Insurance, a Swiss insurer, is unfounded.

13.   Bonds gave up their gains on speculation of possible Japanese selling of Treasury securities.

14.   BNP denied trader speculation of a merger last month.

15.   A former commander of the unit is Donnie Cochran of Pelham, who left amid speculation of lax training.

16.   A bank spokesman declined to comment on speculation of a possible takeover.

17.   A report yesterday from German business daily Handelsblatt suggesting a rate increase today fed speculation of the rise.

18.   A team that lends itself to rampant speculation of individuality and selfish motives.

19.   Abdullah, who like many Afghans uses only one name, and Karzai both have sought to quell media speculation of a rift inside the government.

20.   Alas, in Bethlehem, speculation of new uses for old steel land is hardly rampant.