41.   Natural gas and heating oil futures soared as storms and below-normal temperatures in the Pacific Northwest boosted heating fuel demand at a time of lean inventories.

42.   Natural gas and heating oil prices still could be supported by lean inventories and prospects of colder-than-normal weather later in the winter.

43.   Natural gas futures rose as storms and below-normal temperatures in the Pacific Northwest boosted heating fuel demand at a time of lean inventories.

44.   Natural gas futures soared as forecasts for colder weather in the Midwest boosted demand at a time of lean inventories.

45.   Now lean inventories and robust world demand mean prices are likely to remain at current levels or rise even higher in coming months, traders say.

46.   Oil and gas prices rose yesterday on concern the storm would disrupt supplies at a time of lean inventories and robust demand.

47.   Overstocked business inventories can help spark an economic slowdown, while lean inventories often indicate that businesses will soon demand new materials, spurring the economy.

48.   Platinum rose to a two-month high as the falling dollar sparked a buying spree in Japan at a time of lean inventories.

49.   Prospects for lower Brazilian exports come as lean U.S. inventories and a smaller-than-expected world crop already have doubled coffee prices since early December.

50.   Recently, prices rose on concern that brisk winter demand would drive already lean inventories lower.