11.   The claim came despite reports that some in the local equities department would be sacked.

12.   The closure of Finvest and Marino, the latter being one of the oldest investment houses in the country, rocked the local equities scene late last year.

13.   The currency spillover effect will somehow influence the overall market sentiment on the local equities front.

14.   The Securities and Exchange Commission had sought an opinion after two foreign brokerage firms created similar funds which were buying local equities.

15.   Hill said while the positive economic data from the US indicated improvement, it was not enough to affect local equity markets.

16.   Dealers said for the time being the local equity market would continue to be pressured, as investors await new developments on anti-deflation measures.

17.   Despite the decline, Chuo Securities dealing section manager Akira Nakamura said that he was still optimistic about the outlook for the local equity market.

18.   Dealers reported that heavy foreign buying on Tuesday of local equities and bonds propelled the rand upwards, a trend that continued early Wednesday.

19.   Dealers said the local equity market was well supported however, by interest in domestic-demand related stocks on hopes of an economic recovery.

20.   Nakamura also noted that a rise in the yen would also pressure the local equities market.