1.   A further defeat for the government led to increasing speculation that the Prime Minister would resign.

2.   Amid increasing speculation that the Bank of Japan may hike rates later this year, traders cited interest from commercial banks in paying fixed rates and receiving floating rates.

3.   As the investigation progresses, there is increasing speculation that the motive for the crime could be financial.

4.   Heady gains in Japanese stocks also kept bonds from rising by increasing speculation that investors will be lured away from bonds.

5.   Indications the Japanese economy is emerging from an almost five-year downturn are increasing speculation the central bank may lift interest rates from their historic lows.

6.   Indications the Japanese economy is emerging from almost a five-year downturn are increasing speculation the Bank of Japan may lift interest rates from their historic lows.

7.   Stronger stocks hurt bonds by increasing speculation the economy may be on track to recovery.

8.   Still, in recent weeks there has been increasing speculation about a combination of Mellon and the Bank of New York.

9.   There was increasing speculation Thursday that Dallas Cowboys offensive line coach Hudson Houck was a candidate for the job.

10.   They could also lead to increasing speculation about long-term health effects of low-level exposure to chemical and biological agents, as was the case after the Persian Gulf War.