11.   DaimlerChrysler officials started the current merger speculation by insisting that their transaction was necessary to achieve greater economies of scale.

12.   Disney chief executive Michael Eisner recently fueled another round of speculation by expressing interest in Yahoo, though he added the Internet company was overvalued.

13.   Foxmeyer also has been the subject of speculation by short-sellers, who sell borrowed shares in the hope of replacing them at a lower price.

14.   In addition, Gov. Pete Wilson of California stirred speculation by delivering a feisty, broadly cast state of the state speech this week.

15.   In that case, early speculation by the authorities that Arab terrorists had been responsbile was quickly proved wrong.

16.   It has been stated to be speculation by those who wrote it.

17.   Japanese government bonds rose for a fifth straight day amid decreasing speculation by investors that the central bank soon will raise bank lending rates.

18.   Japanese monetary officials have since quieted that speculation by repeatedly saying they have no plans to raise rates soon.

19.   Late yesterday, the Dallas-based company confirmed months of speculation by saying it would try to sell the drug-distribution business.