31.   A group of major utilities announced a number of costly transactions Monday aimed at helping make them more competitive in a deregulated market.

32.   A new stadium is about the team remaining competitive in the league.

33.   A plunge early this year in the value of the Brazilian currency has benefited big exporters like Embraer by making their products more affordable and competitive in overseas markets.

34.   A Rallye-Casino link, meantime, would leave Casino an independent group, analysts have said, although less competitive in the long term.

35.   A strong peso has made their products less competitive in some markets.

36.   A stronger dollar makes Porsche cars more competitive in the U.S. and means the company repatriates more money when it converts its dollars back into marks.

37.   A Rallye-Casino link would leave Casino an independent group, analysts have said, although less competitive in the long term.

38.   A weaker yen makes Japanese products more competitive in overseas markets, a development that could help the country emerge from a five-year downturn.

39.   A strong dollar helps Japanese companies by making their exports more competitive in U.S. markets and boosting profits when the companies convert dollar-denominated income back to yen.

40.   A strong peso makes their products less competitive in international markets.