1.   The economy is slowly strengthening.

2.   Analysts said investors snapped up shares of the Mishawaka-based company and many other steel stocks amid reports that the U.S. economy is strengthening.

3.   As a result, the Federal Reserve should be able to keep interest rates steady even as the economy strengthens.

4.   But in some ways the economy is strengthening, with manufacturers, for example, benefiting from an increase in exports as demand from Asia and Europe rebounds.

5.   But prices for oil on world markets have risen as the global economy has strengthened.

6.   But the association is optimistic that home sales will pick up as the California economy strengthens.

7.   Canadian government bonds rallied after a U.S. report on producer prices eased concern that borrowing costs will rise as the economy strengthens this year, analysts said.

8.   Corporate earnings are growing at a fast clip as the economy strengthens, and domestic interest rates are seen dropping with inflation.

9.   Economists contend the largest expansions of the surplus are over, and the surplus will grow only gradually the rest of the year as the domestic economy strengthens.

10.   Even so, investors said France and Germany will still have to raise rates again some time next year as their economies strengthen.