81.   Those sales may be welcome news both to consumers and bond investors, since it implies that holiday spending may contribute little to faster inflation next year.

82.   To be sure, some analysts say a resurgent economy could heighten the prospects for faster inflation and push bond yields higher by year-end.

83.   Traders were reluctant to buy bonds after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan Wednesday suggested the Fed may raise interest rates even before signs of faster inflation appear.

84.   Traders and investors will get more clues about the economy and prospects for faster inflation with reports on housing, trade, jobless claims and manufacturing this week.

85.   U.S. stocks plummeted with bonds as signs of faster inflation fueled concern that more Federal Reserve rate increases are coming, threatening profits.

86.   U.S. bonds gained as falling commodities prices eased concern that faster inflation will prompt the Federal Reserve to raise bank lending rates soon.

87.   U.S. stocks and bonds rallied as falling commodities prices eased concern that faster inflation will prompt the Federal Reserve to raise bank lending rates soon.

88.   U.S. bonds were little changed amid concern that a report on employment costs may signal faster inflation in the months ahead.

89.   U.K. gilts rose as evidence of consumer reluctance to pay higher prices for goods and services quelled concern that retail demand will fuel faster inflation.

90.   When consumer spending declines, the risk of faster inflation diminishes.