1.   A weaker-than-expected tankan survey in August doused speculation the Bank of Japan was gearing up to raise interest rates and sparked the rise in bonds.

2.   In earlier years, traders used to complain about unusual movements in the markets in the days before the Tankan survey was released.

3.   Most economists consider the tankan survey of business sentiment more influential than the josei handan.

4.   Negative figures in the tankan survey mean a majority of managers are pessimistic about the economy.

5.   On Friday, the Bank of Japan will release its quarterly tankan survey of business sentiment.

6.   On Wednesday, the quarterly tankan survey of business sentiment showed that managers are still pessimistic about the economy.

7.   Small companies are also cutting back on investments, the tankan survey showed.

8.   So the tankan survey, released Wednesday, rekindled concern the recovery may be stalling, and it squelched speculation the central bank will soon raise interest rates.

9.   Still, managers were more optimistic than in the last tankan survey, released in November.

10.   The Bank of Japan tomorrow will release its quarterly tankan survey of business managers.