1.   Analysts said the big surprise was that the Saudis proposed an increase before the price had been that high for that long.

2.   Bank president Massad said last week he wants to see a decline in underlying inflation and wage increases before cutting rates.

3.   According to this thesis, the Fed could make several rate increases before the interest rate level starts to hurt business.

4.   Business lobbyists are pressing the Republican-controlled state Senate to vote against the increase before the end of the session, scheduled Thursday.

5.   But many Fed watchers see only a modest chance of a rate increase before January.

6.   Clinton signed the short-term increase just before leaving for a peace summit in Egypt.

7.   Congress passed the increase just before the election.

8.   Current yields on Eurodollar futures suggest some are already placing bets on another Fed increase before the June contract expires, according to Bloomberg Financial Markets.

9.   Doubters of the steady-rates scenario argue that the economy is still strong enough to warrant a rate increase before Christmas.

10.   Fukashiro expressed caution over recent comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan suggesting the possibility of a rate increase even before indicators show inflation is emerging.