1.   Assurances by the central bank that Philippine interest rates would not have to follow U.S. rates higher also helped boost optimism.

2.   Austrian bonds fell, following German bunds, as the latest key inflation report out of the U.S. failed to boost optimism that inflation is not a threat.

3.   Better-than-expected earnings results by companies such as Fujitsu Ltd. boosted optimism about profit growth at top exporters, investors said.

4.   Business confidence in the U.S. economy dipped by two points in November as the elections failed to boost optimism, an industry survey showed.

5.   Earnings from PolyGram NV, which were in line with expectations, helped boost optimism that Dutch corporate earnings will match or exceed expectations.

6.   European stock and bond markets rallied after weaker-than-expected U.S. economic figures boosted optimism for lower interest rates on both sides of the Atlantic.

7.   Exporters and automakers such as Toyota Motor Corp. gained as a rising dollar boosted optimism for overseas earnings.

8.   Helping to boost that optimism are reports that President Bill Clinton and U.S. Congress leaders will strike an agreement to balance the federal budget.

9.   If an agreement is reached, it will boost optimism for lower interest rates, investors said.

10.   In NEW YORK, U.S. stocks advanced after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan signaled interest rates will probably remain steady, boosting optimism that corporate profits will rise.