1. Among European currencies, the lira firmed after some initial profit-taking as parliament gave final approval to the reform of the Italian pension system. 2. Among other currencies, the lira firmed ahead of the result of a Thursday vote in the Chamber of Deputies on a no-confidence motion. 3. Analysts say the lira might firm further if a new Italian premier is named this week. 4. The lira firmed on hope of an imminent agreement on reform of Italian retirement benefits. 5. The lira firmed agains the mark a few hours before the vote in the Italian parliament. 6. The Italian lira firmed slightly on the London foreign exchange market a few minutes after the confidence vote. 7. The lira also firmed during the day, but slipped in late trading on news of a meeting of embattled premier Silvio Berlusconi with Italian president Oscar Luigi Scalfaro. 8. The lira firmed thanks to a rise on the Italian bond market, analysts said. |