1.   -- Dennis Smith, analyst with LFG, a futures brokerage in Chicago, as cattle prices rose after a surge in sales during the Labor Day weekend.

2.   Al Lindseth, a broker at GSC Energy Corp., a futures brokerage in Atlanta, agreed.

3.   Also, on Thursday the Farmers Commodities Corp., a Des Moines, Iowa, futures brokerage, released its estimates on the corn and soybean harvests.

4.   Sparks also holds a minority stake in Refco Inc., a large Chicago-based futures brokerage and clearing firm.

5.   The board vote came after CBOT Chairman Patrick Arbor late last week withdrew support for the proposal, citing vocal objections from futures brokerages.

6.   The problem is competing interests between exchange members, futures brokerages and the trading community, Pirrong said.

7.   Analysts at local futures brokerages contacted by Business Times yesterday said it is unlikely that Simex will back down from its plan to launch the new product in November.

8.   Brazilian exporters are expected to ship all they can in the next few months, according to a report by the futures brokerage G.N.I. Ltd.

9.   Chinese financial regulators said Tuesday they had revoked the business licenses of four futures brokerages that had failed to meet government standards.

10.   The CSRC has also shut down a number of futures brokerages for trading irregularities and misappropriation of funds.