1.   Although German officials denied the talk, the mark rose, reaching a four-month high against the Italian lira and rebounding against the dollar.

2.   And as the mark rises in value, the pressure on the dollar increases, because to buy marks traders must sell other currencies, including dollars.

3.   For similar reasons, the mark may rise against the yen.

4.   In Europe, the biggest user of silver, the German mark rose to a two-week high against the dollar.

5.   On Monday, the mark rose to a five-month high against the French franc and a three-month high against the Italian lira.

6.   Such orders were designed to limit losses for traders and investors who had expected the mark to rise.

7.   The dollar fell and the mark rose, halting a rally in German stocks, as concern spread that German short-term interest rates have reached bottom.

8.   The dollar often suffers when the mark rises against other European currencies because investors seek all opportunities to buy marks.

9.   The German mark rose, meantime, bolstered by persistent concern about the timetable for European monetary union.

10.   The mark rose to a three-month high against the Italian lira and almost a five-month peak against the French franc.