41.   Shares of Bell Atlantic Corp. and Nynex Corp. rose yesterday amid speculation they may be discussing a merger, traders and money managers said.

42.   Stonecipher and Condit discussed the merger Wednesday from the same place the two executives stood together seven months ago to announce the companies would unite.

43.   The companies also said that they were discussing a merger of mobile phone operations.

44.   The companies have signed an agreement to conduct a feasibility study and continue discussing a merger, which would require approvals by directors, policyholders and regulators.

45.   The companies also said they were discussing a merger of their mobile phone operations.

46.   The companies will begin discussing merger terms.

47.   The company said yesterday it had discussed a merger with North West and other companies.

48.   The company said it will hold a press conference on Tuesday to discuss the merger.

49.   The letter noted that the two companies had discussed a merger, and earlier meetings had not gone well.

50.   The paper, citing people familiar with the talks, said the companies began discussing the merger during the spring.