31.   The technology sector was mixed in the morning session.

32.   The retail sector was mixed following the release of holiday season sales figures.

33.   The consumer electronics sector was more mixed, with Sony seeing a fall in net profit but it projected a tenfold rise this year.

34.   The insurance sector was mixed after the announcement by French heavyweight Axa, which warned its full-year profits will be down two percent from last year.

35.   The oil sector was mixed, with Chevron and Texaco having better-than-expected results, and Amoco and Exxon coming in lower.