1.   Cash demand may be greater than usual today because commercial banks must pay for government bonds they purchased.

2.   Foreign exchange trading was less active than usual today because of holidays in Hong Kong, France, Italy, Belgium and other countries, traders said.

3.   The stock and bond markets were more confusing than usual today.

4.   To be sure, trading volume was less than usual today because of the holiday week.

5.   Trading volume was lighter than usual today because of the Assumption Day holiday, which closed markets in France, Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

6.   Trading in the bond futures pit at the Chicago Board of Trade was slower than usual today, said Paul Johnson, a trader for ING Futures and Options.

7.   Trading is expected to be lighter than usual today ahead of national holidays tomorrow and Monday.

8.   Trading is expected to be lighter than usual today before national holidays tomorrow and Monday.

9.   Trains were less crowded than usual today because of a national holiday, Spring Equinox Day.