1.   But demonstrators protested against the imminent hikes Friday, and more protests are expected in the coming week as the price increases start to bite.

2.   But he did not rule out the possibility that they were hoarding fuel in anticipation of a imminent hike in the price of petrol.

3.   The US dollar appreciated against the yen and the mark in Singapore trading Monday, underpinned by expectations of an imminent hike in US interest rates, dealers said.

4.   Last Friday, an unexpectedly sharp drop in unemployment and an increase in wages raised fears of an overheating economy and an imminent hike in interest rates.

5.   The markets responded favorably, with stocks and bonds posting gains as dealers interpreted the remarks as lowering the probability of an imminent hike in rates.