51.   For the week, the Maryland index performed better than the benchmark stock indexes.

52.   Funds typically base investments on the size the market occupies in a benchmark index, such as the one compiled by Morgan Stanley.

53.   FRENCH benchmark stock index soared to an all-time closing high as the dollar set a five-year high against the franc, boosting exporters.

54.   French stocks outperformed benchmark indexes in the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

55.   Gains in Associated Cement Cos. boosted the benchmark index.

56.   Gains were led by large stocks with heavy weightings on the benchmark index, such as Tenaga Nasional Bhd., Sime Darby Bhd., and Telekom Malaysia Bhd.

57.   Gains by smaller companies with swifter earnings growth than most of the companies in the benchmark index helped cushion the decline.

58.   Gains in automakers such as Nissan Motor Co. and steelmakers such as Nippon Steel Co. pushed the benchmark index higher.

59.   Government-affiliated funds previously bought the shares to help stop the benchmark index from collapsing, some fund managers said.

60.   Great Universal Stores was the second-worst performing stock on the benchmark index.