111.   Consumer sectors were lower on Wall Street, as well.

112.   Corn prices were lower on news of improved crop conditions that came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

113.   Corn was also lower on the predictions that the hot temperatures would ease this week.

114.   Disappointing economic and earnings news, proof that companies still face challenges in the coming months, sent stocks sharply lower on Thursday.

115.   High-technology and blue-chip shares, including Sony Corp., Toshiba Corp. and NEC, were mostly lower on worries about earnings outlooks.

116.   In currency dealings, the dollar was slightly lower on mild dollar-selling by Japanese exporters early in the session.

117.   In Tokyo, share prices were lower on the overnight drop in New York and worries about Japanese corporate earnings.

118.   In Taiwan, share prices were also sharply lower on worries over the continuing depreciation of the currency, analysts said.

119.   INTERBANK rates closed the week slightly lower on lack of demand for fresh funds by local financial institutions.

120.   Investors cashed in recent gains Tuesday to send Tokyo stocks lower on the back of overnight losses on Wall Street.