1.   Bonds rose early in the day, bolstered by carry-over buying from Tuesday and by a firmer dollar.

2.   A firmer dollar, which was higher against both the German mark and the Japanese yen, also helped to give Treasury securities a lift.

3.   A firmer dollar and weaker yen also weighed on bonds.

4.   A firmer dollar makes both the currency and securities denominated in it more attractive to investors.

5.   Exporters, helped by a firmer dollar, and financial companies, lifted by stronger bonds, were among the best performers.

6.   For Europe and Japan, a firmer dollar hands a much-needed lift to their stalling economies.

7.   In later trading Thursday, long bond prices drew some support from a firmer dollar in the currency markets.

8.   Meanwhile, the firmer dollar encourages foreign investors to buy stocks.

9.   Traders said a firmer dollar in curency trading helped bonds, making them more attractive to foreign investors.

10.   While a firmer dollar makes both the currency and securities denominated in it more attractive to investors, higher rates damp the profits of borrowers and lenders alike.