71.   The prime minister said Japan might sell U.S. debt and buy gold if the dollar-yen rate remained volatile.

72.   They can, if they want, even buy gold.

73.   Traditionally, some investors buy gold as a hedge against accelerating inflation.

74.   Traders speculated that investors would buy gold as a haven until the stock market recovered.

75.   With inflation low, investors have little incentive to buy gold, a traditional inflation-hedge.

76.   Also, it says it had to buy gold to support the Swiss franc, which was the only currency accepted across Europe during the war.

77.   Because gold is getting scarce, buying gold door-to-door is becoming an increasingly difficult job.

78.   Completing the laundering cycle, Portugal used the money to buy the gold from Switzerland, Swiss officials said.

79.   If the government decides to buy gold itself instead of exporting, sellers would be paid immediately at prevailing international market prices, officials said.

80.   Investors typically buy gold when currencies weaken.