91.   Shares of banks and other financial companies gained amid optimism the Federal Reserve will refrain from boosting interest rates.

92.   Shares of computer chip companies gained amid expectations that semiconductor equipment company Applied Materials Inc. would exceed earnings estimates in its fourth fiscal quarter.

93.   Shares of Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp. and International Business Machines Corp. gained amid optimism that spending on computers and telecommunications equipment will increase as the economy revives.

94.   So-called defensive issues gained amid expectations that a cut in rates by the Fed will prolong the economic expansion.

95.   Some U.S. retailers gained amid signs that business is recovering.

96.   SOUTH AFRICAN stocks were mixed as industrial companies such as Polifin Ltd. gained amid brisk earnings growth, of fsetting declines in gold and other mining stocks.

97.   Stocks whose earnings tend to follow the economy gained amid the earnings growth optimism.

98.   Stocks whose earnings tend to track the economy gained amid the rate-cut optimism.

99.   Soybean prices gained amid expectations China is looking to buy more oilseeds on world markets.

100.   Stocks gained amid optimism corporate profits will grow as borrowing rates fall and the economy expands.