51.   Inventories have risen seven of the last nine months.

52.   Inventories usually rise at this time of year as refiners prepare for winter.

53.   Inventories have risen five straight months, with gains among automobile and electronics makers being the most prominent.

54.   Inventories rose less than expected last month, a sign companies will have to step up production if demand rises.

55.   Inventories usually rise during the summer, when heating demand is low.

56.   Meanwhile, gasoline inventories rose even though production by U.S. refineries fell last week.

57.   Matsushima acknowledged inventories are rising at some industries such as autos and they are slowing output.

58.   Natural gas inventories also are rising in preparation for the start of the winter heating season.

59.   More important, inventories rose sharply while consumer spending was weak and many traders and investors seemed to conclude that this combination would discourage the Fed from lifting rates.

60.   Offsetting that are expectations that the API report would show inventories of heating oil and other distillate fuels inventories rose last week.