1.   American Express Co. led the gains amid speculation it could be a takeover target.

2.   Analysts expect Brazilian share prices to continue to gain amid optimism for higher earnings in the telecommunications industry.

3.   Argentine stocks closed mixed, surrendering early gains amid concerns that rising tension in the Mideast could revive inflation and send interest rates higher.

4.   AUSTRALIAN bonds pared an early gain amid concern that a boom in spending by consumers will stir up inflation.

5.   Bonds pared gains amid speculation that senior Ministry of Finance official Eisuke Sakakibara will comment on Japanese interest rates, traders said.

6.   By midday, the dollar trimmed the gains amid concern that Japanese exporters will sell dollars for yen when the U.S. currency rises further, traders said.

7.   Chrysler, which led Detroit automakers with sales gains amid booming truck sales last year, has seen a turnabout in its showrooms.

8.   Consumer electronics chains have had the toughest time, eking out slim sales gains amid fierce competition and a lack of new products.

9.   Construction shares extended recent gains amid expectations the industry should benefit from an upturn in economic activity.

10.   European bank and insurance stocks stand to gain amid low interest rates and low inflation, fat earnings and a flood of mergers and acquisitions.