31.   Niagra Mohawk is the second-largest electric and gas utility in New York state.

32.   The deal would create a U.S. gas utility with more customers than any other east of the Rocky Mountains.

33.   All sectors except electric and gas utilities said the outlook was better, with real-estate companies reporting the sharpest improvement.

34.   Large gas utilities in Asia believe that competition requires a single fuel reference and have thus been showing a steady reluctance to change their pricing approach, he added.

35.   Most other public services, including schools, the post offices and the electricity and gas utilities, will also be strike-bound.

36.   Outlooks were brighter in most sectors except construction and retailing where confidence deteriorated and electric and gas utilities where it was unchanged.