51.   The precious metals were weaker this week as investors withdrew from the market to switch to the rising dollar.

52.   One dealer said investors had withdrawn their funds because they expected purchases to fall in the run-up to Christmas.

53.   Several large-scale investors withdrew from the US market, believing that petrol stocks were too high compared to consumption, said Brendam Wilders, an analyst with Hoare Govett.

54.   The drop in the bond market had traders concerned that foreign investors would withdraw funds and encouraged them to sell.