51.   The announcement is the latest sign of the effort among reinsurance companies to build revenue and lower costs by acquiring rivals.

52.   The big increases are the latest sign of the widespread effect that the Internet is having on highly skilled workers in a range of professions.

53.   The closure is the latest sign that Romania is braving worker protests to stick to harsh but necessary free-market reforms.

54.   The closing is also the latest sign that auto makers expect Americans to continue shifting from cars to sport utility vehicles, mini-vans and pickups.

55.   The earnings came as the latest sign that the French banking industry is emerging from a four-year slump.

56.   The deal is the latest sign of the changes reshaping the global brewing business.

57.   The figures were the latest sign of repercussions in Britain from the United States slowdown.

58.   The job report is the latest sign that the US economy is performing surprisingly well this year.

59.   The latest sign of an economic slowdown came from Roadway Services Inc. and TNT Freightways Corp. -- two big freight transporters.

60.   The latest sign of sluggish growth was a Commerce Department report showing inventories at U.S. businesses increased in April as weak consumer demand caused sales to drop.