21.   After yet another record year for mergers and acquisitions, the trend shows little sign of abating, experts on Wall Street say.

22.   Coming off a near record year for muni issuance, Taylor said he expects members of the muni industry to be in high spirits.

23.   Competition in the entertainment industry has grown enormously, shaking up the television and music businesses, but the movie business has had a record year.

24.   Democrats also are having a record year.

25.   December caps a record year for Chrysler, which outpaced its larger rivals, and a disappointing one for GM.

26.   December caps a record year for Chrysler, which outpaced its major rivals.

27.   Despite the record year, numerous expensive films that seemed as if they would be winners collapsed at the box office.

28.   Even while university officials are quick to point out that Harvard has had a record year in fund-raising and student admissions, journalists are in pursuit of fouler game.

29.   Even though mortgage rates have been rising recently, sales are still headed toward another record year.

30.   Even with a slowdown in the third quarter, mergers and acquisitions are on track for a record year.