21.   NatWest is now negotiating with two potential buyers to sell its Asian equities and corporate finance operations, Hills-Perry said.

22.   National Westminster Bank Plc said it sold its European equities business to Bankers Trust New York Corp. and its U.S. and Asian equity derivatives units to Deutsche Morgan Grenfell.

23.   NatWest said it sold its European equities business to Bankers Trust New York Corp. and its U.S. and Asian equity derivatives businesses to Deutsche Morgan Grenfell.

24.   North American markets have been rocked in recent weeks by dramatic declines in Asian equity exchanges which prompted investors to flee stocks for the relative safety of bonds.

25.   North American markets have been rocked in recent weeks by dramatic declines in Asian equity exchanges, prompting investors to abandon stocks for the relative safety of bonds.

26.   North American markets have been rocked in recent weeks by dramatic declines in Asian equity exchanges, prompting investors to flee stocks for the relative safety of bonds.

27.   North American markets have been rocked in recent weeks by dramatic declines in Asian equity exchanges, prompting investors to abandon stocks.

28.   On Friday, Irish bonds fell with global bonds as investors shifted money into stocks, following a rally in both U.S. and Asian equity markets.

29.   On Friday, major European, U.S. and Asian equity, bond and commodity markets will be closed.

30.   Prices also were boosted by strengthening Asian equity and currency markets, traders said.