1.   Also, German bonds have gained amid concern that plans for a single European currency will fail.

2.   Amcor Ltd. and Coles Myer Ltd. gained amid optimism the central bank will soon cut its key interest rate.

3.   And Intel gained amid reports it had cut the price of its flagship chip, the Pentium.

4.   Australian stocks were mixed as building material makers gained amid optimism the domestic economy is set to grow, while gold miners fell.

5.   AUSTRALIAN stocks rose as resources gained amid optimism rising metal prices could spur earnings growth.

6.   Banco Popular SA and Banco Central Hispano SA shares gained amid speculation about a possible merger between the two banks.

7.   Bank stocks gained amid expectations for strong profits, in part helped by low inflation.

8.   Banks also gained amid optimism the strong currency would help keep inflation -- and therefore interest rates -- low.

9.   Bank shares gained amid optimism a fall in rates will boost loan demand.

10.   Bank shares gained amid speculations that the campaign by the central bank to prod its banks to merge will help some of the smaller ailing banks.