11.   That hit shares of companies which export or sell their products in dollars, because it reduces the value of their sales when converted into Belgian francs.

12.   The loss primarily hit the division Volvo Cars, where a stronger deutsche mark and Belgian franc increased costs, and a weaker dollar hurt sales income.

13.   For now, Assink needs three wallets to keep track of his guilders, his German marks and his Belgian francs.

14.   Subsequent studies have indicated some stores are starting to nudge up their Belgian franc prices so they can be converted into nicely rounded euro figures.

15.   The Belgian franc was steady following Wednesday the rate cut.

16.   The Belgian franc, meanwhile, was weaker against the German mark compared with its levels in Europe late Tuesday.

17.   The Belgian franc immediately rallied.

18.   The central bank raised interests rates Wednesday in a bid to protect the Belgian franc from a further buffeting in world markets.

19.   The rush to scoop up marks has punished weaker EU currencies including the Belgian franc.

20.   A source close to the financing said that a sum of three billion Belgian francs had yet to be paid.