1.   SOUTH AFRICAN stocks trimmed their losses while bond yields fell to five-week lows, reflecting signs that confidence is returning to the market.

2.   Stocks trimmed their losses later in the day when bond prices surged on a Johnson Redbook Service report that department store sales slumped last week.

3.   Blue chip stocks trimmed some of their earlier losses in afternoon trading.

4.   Blue chip stocks trimmed some of their earlier losses in midday trading.

5.   Broader indexes ended higher, but technology stocks trimmed strong early gains as well.