91.   Some economists and mortgage lenders said loan rates could decline as long as the economy expands slowly, with little sign of inflation.

92.   Speculation about lower German interest rates grew after the Bank of Japan guided the overnight interbank loan rate below the discount rate Friday.

93.   Still, higher bond yields already have been translated into higher loan rates for consumers and may soon slow the economy, say some traders.

94.   Stocks got a boost from a stronger peso and a drop in loan rates today.

95.   Such a move normally suggests the bank is satisfied with current levels of the interbank overnight loan rate and has no intention of trying to push down the rate.

96.   That decline fueled hopes banks will start cutting loan rates early next year.

97.   That would push up mortgage rates, personal loan rates and credit card rates, cutting the amount of money consumers have left to spend.

98.   That has helped to bring down loan rates, which makes financing car purchases cheaper and tends to increase sales.

99.   The adjustment was at the higher end of expectations and was expected to maintain the overnight loan rate.

100.   The bank did so to keep bond yields and longer-term loan rates from rising, traders said.