1.   An ITT expansion in Las Vegas could mean the company has decided to build new casinos rather than buy a competitor.

2.   And after two decades of buying competitors, Computer Associates has essentially exhausted the pool of takeover targets.

3.   But swallowing MCI would be a breathtaking gulp for the upstart company, even though it has made a sport of buying larger competitors.

4.   But swallowing MCI would be a breathtaking gulp, even for a company that has made a sport of buying bigger competitors.

5.   Closely-held Nova, of Calabasas, Calif. bought competitor PlanWrite last February for an undisclosed amount.

6.   Fox, the Cincinnati publisher, said he saw his professional life flash before his eyes when he heard New Times was going to buy his competitor.

7.   Genzyme shareholders are mulling an acquisition proposed by management in which two units covered by tracking stocks would buy a competitor, using money borrowed by the parent company.

8.   Remedy Corp. plunged after International Business Machines Corp. bought a competitor.

9.   The cost of buying competitors was higher than forecast and economies of scale less that anticipated, analysts said.

10.   The earnings show how U.S. banks and thrifts are trying to boost profit by cutting costs and buying competitors.