41.   Attorney General Bill Lockyer immediately began an investigation, while others blamed deregulation as the cause of the short power supplies and rising prices.

42.   Bacon supplies in storage unexpectedly shrank during April, government figures showed, pointing to rising prices at the beginning of the peak demand season.

43.   Because gold is often bought as a hedge against inflation, rising prices indicate some investors see a greater likelihood inflation will accelerate, Igarashi said.

44.   Behind the gains are promising new medicines, rising prices and a greater willingness by cost-conscious managed-care companies to recommend prescription drugs.

45.   Bondholders have been pleased all year as rising crude prices helped insure that oil-exportingcountries that issue high-risk bonds would meet their interest payments.

46.   Bonds fall when the inflation threat intensifies because, over time, rising prices reduce value of fixed returns.

47.   A cutback in oil production that OPEC members agreed to in March has been the major reason for rising prices.

48.   A rising stock price and increased cash flow will let the company increase debt while keeping its debt-to-capital ratio steady, he said.

49.   A strong U.S. dollar, rising share prices and tepid inflation have hurt demand for the precious metal, which is often used as a hedge against rising prices.

50.   A rising gold price is typically perceived to be a signal investors are seeking to hedge against the possibility of rising inflation eroding the return on their investments.