31.   Nondurables rose, apparently reflecting unusually vigorous post-holiday promotions by department stores and higher gasoline prices.

32.   Oil futures prices have also increased recently, but analysts say those are being pulled upward by higher gasoline prices.

33.   Oil shares rallied on expectations that higher gasoline prices will fuel improved earnings, while semiconductor shares retreated.

34.   Prices are expected to show their first increase in seven months, reflecting higher gasoline prices, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

35.   Producer prices in August are expected to show their first increase in seven months, reflecting higher gasoline prices, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

36.   Prices rose yesterday after news that drivers walked off the job Saturday to protest higher gasoline prices raised expectations for supply disruptions.

37.   Rising interest rates, a volatile stock market and higher gasoline prices were expected to be slowing the American economy by now, including the highly cyclical auto industry.

38.   Several referred to the legislation, following a period of higher gasoline prices and shortages of other forms of energy, as historic.

39.   Some leading manufacturers, though, are predicting hard times ahead, blaming higher interest rates, higher gasoline prices and surplus RVs on dealer lots.

40.   Small businesses across the region are feeling the pinch of higher gasoline prices.