21.   Exports of small trucks and sport utility vehicles declined, offsetting a rise in shipments of large trucks to North America and Thailand.

22.   Even if all did so, he said, the extra income would not offset the rise in diesel fuel.

23.   For stocks to sustain a recovery, analysts said, second-quarter profits must meet or exceed forecasts to offset any rise in rates.

24.   In NEW YORK, copper was steady as robust demand from U.S. manufacturers offset the rise in world supplies.

25.   Japanese stocks traded little changed as a fall in shares of brokerages offset a rise in exporters.

26.   Japanese stocks were little changed as a decline in shares of real estate and auto companies offset a rise in shares of mining and food companies, traders said.

27.   Japanese stocks were little changed as brokerages such as Nomura Securities Co. fell on concern about poor profit growth and offset the rise in exporters.

28.   Maryland stocks were relatively unchanged, as a drop in Citizens Bancorp Maryland offset a rise in HCIA Inc.

29.   Moreover, benefit costs may be poised to move higher after recent gains were among the smallest in decades, which helped offset the rise in wages.

30.   Moreover, benefit costs may be poised to move higher --after recent gains were among the smallest in decades, which helped offset the rise in wages.