1.   Share prices on the Milan stock exchange soared and the lira gained against the German mark.

2.   The Italian lira has gained on predictions that Dini may survive.

3.   Chaveriat said that the lira had gained from favourable comments made by Gerard.

4.   That weakness benefited other currencies in the European Monetary System, and the lira gained more ground against the mark.

5.   The lira gained against the mark, benefiting from more market confidence in the Italian political and government outlook.

6.   The lira gained after news pointing to a possible resolution of the Italian government crisis.