1.   Last month the Tankan survey of corporate sentiment showed that business optimism has stalled.

2.   The report concludes with references to increase in long term unemployment and slump in business optimism.

3.   And the move clearly aided business optimism.

4.   A quarterly survey to be released later Friday by the Bank of Japan is expected to show a decline in business optimism.

5.   Business optimism and investment continue to expand even as average consumers grow more fearful.

6.   Meantime, the September survey of French industry showed export optimism at a record high and overall business optimism three times as high as July.

7.   Some analysts said the drop in business optimism may have been overstated by seasonal factors, just as the increase in the price balance may have been understated.

8.   Eric Spivey, chief executive of Dun and Bradstreet in Australia, said there appeared to be massive drop in business optimism.

9.   However, manufacturing executives reported a strong improvement in business optimism.