41.   Even so, persistent takeover speculation continued to buoy some shares.

42.   Finally, they tend to benefit from greater takeover speculation than other companies in their industry, Goodstein said.

43.   Gains were offset by falling drug stocks, particularly SmithKline Beecham Plc and Glaxo Wellcome Plc amid ebbing takeover speculation.

44.   FRENCH stocks closed at a record high, buoyed by gains in the U.S. dollar and as takeover speculation lifted shares of financial services companies.

45.   Great Central, controlled by Australian mining personality Joe Gutnick, was recently the object of takeover speculation itself.

46.   Hagan declined to comment on takeover speculation and said no major announcements are planned.

47.   He declined to comment on takeover speculation.

48.   He said he expects the stock to return to the teens once takeover speculation subsides.

49.   Hewlett-Packard declined comment, as it always does on any takeover speculation.