31.   Cerus, which declined to comment on the takeover speculation, is expected to release a statement later today.

32.   Conner had been the subject of recent takeover speculation.

33.   Dallas-based Halliburton also declined to comment on the takeover speculation.

34.   Dresdner Bank became so feeble that it was taken over by its biggest shareholder, Allianz Insurance, and Commerz Bank is a perpetual subject of takeover speculation.

35.   Drugs were further boosted by takeover speculation, fueled by merger negotiations between SmithKline and American Home Products Corp.

36.   Drugs were boosted by takeover speculation, spurred by merger negotiations between SmithKline and American Home Products Corp.

37.   European stock indexes, meanwhile, were little changed as diminished takeover speculation combined with the approach of Christmas to keep trading light.

38.   Edwards remains undaunted by the takeover speculation, saying the firm must maintain its customer focus and not worry about a possible buyout.

39.   Fairfax, which is the leading publisher of broadsheet newspapers in Australia, has been the subject of much takeover speculation in the last six months.

40.   European stocks rose as investors bought shares involved in takeover speculation.