21.   Building material stocks and other interest rate sensitive equities offset some declines amid optimism the central bank will cut interest rates for the fifth time this year.

22.   Brazilian stocks closed mixed as rising utility stocks offset a decline in state-controlled Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras SA.

23.   But to the surprise of cardiologists, McGuire and Levine found that this increase in volume was more than enough to offset the decline in maximum heart rate.

24.   But with more competition, some doubt whether banks can continue to raise fees to offset the declines in interest income.

25.   CANADIAN stocks fell as gains in natural resource shares failed to offset declines in consumer products, banks, and gold and precious minerals issues.

26.   Capital investment and exports are helping offset a decline in consumer spending following the tax increase, Obata said.

27.   Canadian stocks closed little changed as Diamond Fields Resources Ltd. shares surged on news of a takeover by Falconbridge Ltd., offsetting declines among other metals producers.

28.   Canadian stocks rose for the second session as gains by gold exploration companies offset declines in bank shares.

29.   Colombian stocks were little changed, as demand for brewer Bavaria SA offset a decline by Cemento Argos SA on weak cement consumption.

30.   Continued trouble in Asia is weighing on local stocks, though resource companies helped offset the declines.