71.   But with only part of the remaining options exercised, peso buying pushed the rate down again in the final half hour of trading.

72.   Economists said the survey provides justification to push rates higher.

73.   In anticipation of Fed credit tightening, financial markets have already started pushing long-term rates higher.

74.   Kwong said if the yen continues to weaken, pushing rates higher, the market will likely fall sharply, he said.

75.   Pushing the rates up could see a setback in such efforts.

76.   Rates were pushed up by concerns that speculators would force a devaluation of the Hong Kong dollar.

77.   So anything that could push rates up is grist for the selling mill.

78.   Sung Won Sohn, chief economist at Wells Fargo, said the Fed would proceed with caution when it comes to pushing up rates.

79.   The agreement marks the first time the central bank has bowed to a government request for a rate cut since it began pushing rates up a year ago.

80.   The Fed began pushing rates up in February.