1.   A government report released before the start of stock trading today showed a surprise drop in new home building, reinforcing expectations for slow inflation.

2.   A government report showing a surprise drop in producer prices helped allay concerns that the Fed will raise interest rates.

3.   A report showing a surprise drop in U.S. employment last month eased concern the Federal Reserve will have to raise interest rates to rein in inflation.

4.   A surprise drop in the number of jobless workers in August and upward revisions to unit wage costs may take the shine off the slowdown in earnings growth.

5.   A surprise drop in the number of jobs in the U.S. economy in May has prompted talk of a U.S. recession.

6.   New Zealand bonds rose, following U.S. bonds, as a surprise drop in May retail sales in the U.S. allayed concern that interest rates will rise.

7.   The surprise drop led some traders to conclude the Fed may cut rates soon to stave off a recession.

8.   U.S. bonds rallied for a second day, pushing yields to their lowest level this year, after the government reported a surprise drop in producer prices.

9.   U.S. bonds were little changed in Asia after yields dropped to their lowest this year in response to the U.S. Labor Department reporting a surprise drop in producer prices.

10.   U.S. rallied for a second day, pushing yields to their lowest this year, after the government reported a surprise drop in producer prices.