1.   Analysts and dealers attributed the gains in smaller companies to speculation about mergers and acquisitions, that are unlikely to happen.

2.   At present, there is considerable speculation about developments in the Corridor but little hard evidence.

3.   But speculation about whether he had accomplices has run amok.

4.   It followed days of frenzied speculation about his relationship with Diana and the state of her Marriage to Prince Charles.

5.   Merger mania and speculation about a Boeing-McDonnell Douglas combination boosted the shares of aerospace and defense stocks.

6.   Only Rugby Union holds out against the commercial tide despite widespread speculation about covert payments to players.

7.   Outside Whitehall there was now intense speculation about what was to happen.

8.   She appealed for an end to press speculation about her Marriage.

9.   Smith has ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract.

10.   Speculation about Kemp has been growing, particularly since Dole announced an economic plan that embraced tax cuts long advocated by Kemp.