21.   Investors were keen to buy ahead of the inflow of Japanese pension fund money, expected next Monday, which they anticipate will support the market.

22.   Little fresh bullish news has surfaced to support the market, so prices are drifting lower, grain sources said.

23.   Other props that have supported the market have also begun to crumble.

24.   Several securities firms said government officials phoned them this morning, asking them to support the market.

25.   Still, demand for gold strengthened as low prices encouraged buying by manufacturers and jewelers, supporting the market.

26.   Supporting the market this week were near-daily hints from government officials that Japan will drop its commitment to fiscal reform in favor of stoking the economy.

27.   Surprisingly strong fourth-quarter profit reports helped boost stocks earlier in the month, and some investors said that strong earnings could support the market.

28.   Still, although gilt prices are expected to fall, evidence of slower economic growth and expectations of lower U.K. interest rates are expected to support the market.

29.   That could be a smokescreen to support the markets by keeping hopes of a rate cut alive, Sechzer argued.

30.   Taiwan stocks slid after government moves to support the market fell short of investor expectations, analysts said.