61.   Weaker bunds and U.S. Treasuries added to early losses in gilts as traders lost sight of the global rate-cut optimism that has lately driven them higher.

62.   With inventories of gas and heating oil both lagging last year, prospects that rising demand will further draw down stockpiles are driving prices higher, traders said.

63.   Other Czechs complain the Russians dodge taxes and drive rents higher by paying exorbitant amounts.

64.   Analysts said prices were driven higher by a reluctance to sell among traders who figure the trend is going to continue upward.

65.   But inflation rates have recently been driven higher by soaring oil prices.

66.   Commercial funds drove prices higher with purchases late in the trading session.

67.   Currency traders said the dollar had neared technical resistance levels against both the German mark and Japanese yen, and they were reluctant to drive it higher.

68.   In addition to impending MSCI changes, blue chips were driven higher on hopes that the global economy will soon turn a corner, traders said.

69.   On Wednesday, investors drove stocks higher on the hope that a further easing in interest rates could come this year.

70.   Sales were also driven higher by acquisitions, the company said.