31.   Executives at The New England say sales this year are up because financial advisers are now willing to recommend The New England to clients as a financially secure company.

32.   Ford has announced that its first hybrid will go on sale that year, a version of its new Escape sport utility.

33.   France has been readying commercial bank Credit Lyonnais for a possible sale this year.

34.   Given the inherent drawing power of coastal communities, several others near Kennebunk are also seeing improved home sales this year.

35.   GM has had disappointing sales this year of its Chevrolet Cavalier, which was retrofitted for Japan and is being sold by Toyota.

36.   He said the falling prices of chips will spur sales this year, as it lowers manufacturing costs.

37.   He said sales this year are likely to be boosted by U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to sell Zyrtec in the U.S., as from this month.

38.   High interest rates and rising contraband trade have hurt retail sales this year, according to business groups.

39.   Home sales this year have reached record levels.

40.   Hoechst said it expects economic improvement in Europe, Asia and the U.S. to bolster sales this year, although pharmaceutical sales will remain under price pressure.