21.   He said actions by the US Congress on Thursday, when resolutions expressing solidarity with Israel were passed, would not have helped sentiment in Arab countries.

22.   Another important factor which may have helped sentiment had been the media and market commentary, which had emphasised the likely limited extent of the interest rate increases.

23.   Buying orders from Syria also helped sentiment, reflecting consistent demand from the Middle East.

24.   Dealers here said that better-than-expected results by the glass manufacturer Pilkington helped market sentiment.

25.   This did not help sentiment.

26.   They said sentiment was also helped by an agreement on dealing with housing loan company debt.

27.   Market sentiment has been helped by reports that stainless steel producers -- the main customers for nickel -- are attempting to drive through price rises for their product.

28.   Postive stock downdraws also helped sentiment.

29.   Sentiment was not helped by talk that Global Crossing was in dire financial trouble, raising fears of another Enron-type collapse.