1.   An increase in the number of locally-issued debt could push yields higher by crowding out demand for government bonds.

2.   Speculation that the cold weather increased demand for heating oil pushed prices higher in early trading.

3.   An U.S. employment report fueled concern that a tight U.S. job market will push wages higher, prompting the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.

4.   Analysts said the LDP victory will probably push bonds higher because the market will feel reassured that government policies in the short term will remain transparent.

5.   Analysts say the downturn could get worse because they expect the Fed to push interest rates higher in the United States later this year.

6.   And analysts say the downturn could get worse because they expect the Federal Reserve to push interest rates higher later this year.

7.   And it will reduce the lingering pressure on the Federal Reserve to push interest rates higher as a damper against import-led inflation.

8.   Any indication that inflationary pressures are increasing will probably push rates higher, as investors speculate on when the central bank will finally pull the trigger.

9.   As a consequence, many investors bought marks and Swiss francs, which are perceived as safe havens, pushing them higher against the dollar.