71.   Higher sales of automobiles in Japan boosted shares of some automakers.

72.   Home Depot also is building stores near older stores, which helps boost market share while eating into same-store sales.

73.   However, rumors of a possible merger between Palm and Handspring helped boost flagging shares of both companies in recent weeks.

74.   Illinois stocks gained for the first time in six days, led by finance company Household International Inc., as a drop in bond yields boosted bank shares.

75.   In addition, speculation that inflation is low enough to allow the Reserve Bank to make a fifth consecutive cut in benchmark interest rates also helped boost bank shares.

76.   In LONDON, stocks rose for the third day, lifted by U.S. shares and as takeover speculation and earnings optimism boosted bank shares.

77.   In Taiwan, the Intel news also boosted electronics shares.

78.   Inclusion in the index could boost shares because the company would automatically be added to index-linked equity funds.

79.   Investor expectation of strong earnings results boosted shares of Laboratorio Chile SA.