71.   Driven by the fall in interest rates that both lures buyers and reduces costs for builders, optimism is running high.

72.   Despite the very high endgame hurdles, there is qualified optimism that a San Diego agreement can be reached this year.

73.   Domestically, though, there is still optimism.

74.   Even so, analysts say that there is growing optimism about the prospect of further small-cap gains in the next few months.

75.   Even with facts to support it, economic optimism is not an easy sell.

76.   Even presidential optimism is not what it used to be.

77.   Falling optimism is an encouraging sign for contrarians, who look for opportunities to bet against the crowd rather than with it.

78.   Falconbridge spokesman Gerald Foley said there is optimism a contract can be settled and a strike averted.

79.   Falling optimism is a good sign for contrarian buyers, who look for opportunities to bet against the crowd, not with it.

80.   Even so, misplaced optimism can be troubling, they add, particularly when that optimism leads directly to a large executive payday.