21.   Before the tax increase, many economists were predicting an interest rate increase by the end of this year.

22.   Best said Advisers has prepared for a Fed rate increase by selling securities of all maturities and raising cash.

23.   A fed rate hike would likely be followed by an increase by the Canadian central bank, analysts said.

24.   A much larger gain would heighten expectations of another interest-rate increase by the Fed, depressing stocks and bonds, Simon said.

25.   A rate increase by the bank would have made German bonds more attractive to investors, prompting them to sell dollars to buy marks.

26.   A rate increase by the Fed may not affect the Bank of Japan during the next few months.

27.   A sharp and sudden gas-price increase by Tosco Corp. has irked consumers and dealers and sparked price hikes at competing stations.

28.   A surprise rate increase by the Fed would likely bolster the dollar by making deposits in the currency more attractive to global investors.

29.   After six interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve, consumer spending on retail is declining.

30.   But Democrats said Bush paid for the increases by cutting other education programs.