51.   But one person close to the discussions said it was unlikely that any investors would get their money back before next fall at the earliest.

52.   But the arrangement means that individual investors will get more of the settlement fund than they otherwise would have, class-action lawyers agreed.

53.   But the strategy would also place more risk on the common stockholders if the new equity investors got preferred stock or some sort of senior security.

54.   But the competition is getting tougher, and some investors are getting impatient.

55.   But there are several minority franchisees in Houston showing a well-heeled minority investor can get into this business in a big way.

56.   But those who believe taxes are important insist investors will eventually get the message.

57.   But while investors might be getting their fill of stock funds, overall demand for mutual funds remains strong, industry executives said Thursday.

58.   But while it is nice to see defrauded investors get compensation, the way this one is being handled is hard to fathom.

59.   Buying in HFS options increased last week, suggesting that some investors got an early chance to profit from the news that the two companies were considering combining.

60.   Buying is not expected to increase until investors get more signs of sustained weakness in the U.S. economy.