1.   Bonds gained despite the biggest decline in the dollar in more than two years, a drop that threatens to sap demand for U.S. assets.

2.   But the Democrats, who used the Contract as a campaigning tool, said the GOP gained seats despite the celebrated document, not because of it.

3.   The bright spots in the United States were the financial stocks, which gained despite rising interest rates.

4.   Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Mercedes-Benz all reported U.S. sales gains despite the strength of the Japanese and German currencies against the dollar.

5.   Corn and soybeans gained despite the recent expectations that farmers will plant huge tracts of corn and soybeans this spring.

6.   Meanwhile, the dollar gained despite profit-taking and shrinking buying interest.

7.   Prices gained despite some lending that came into London and helped ease short-term lease rates, traders said.

8.   Soybean futures prices gained despite near ideal weather, which is speeding the harvest of the soybean crop.

9.   According to some experts, the latest Taliban victories were gained despite the fact that the anti-Taliban forces hold a clear numerical advantage.

10.   According to some experts, these military victories were gained despite the fact that the anti-Taliban forces hold a clear numerical advantage.