31.   Also, though gold prices have rallied, the gains have been fairly small.

32.   Although the sales gains are modest, Ivester said, they represent further evidence that economies in key markets around the world are beginning to recover.

33.   Although the current expansion has surpassed the average length of postwar recoveries, it has been weak by historical standards, and income gains have been anemic.

34.   Although the gains were moderate, they were still an improvement from the dismal growth registered in March and April.

35.   Among the stocks that may gain today are athletic shoe maker Nike Inc.

36.   Analysts expressed concerns about the limited breadth of the rally, where gains were concentrated among a small group of large companies.

37.   Analysts said that while the gain was not surprising, it was disconcerting for the market, which is already sensitized to price increases.

38.   Analysts said the July gain was twice what economists had expected.

39.   Analysts said the gains were because of expectations that the government will boost telephone rates, which would improve earnings for market leader Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras.

40.   Analysts said the spring gains may have been premature, as it turned out.