31.   But the managers discourage comparison with the market because they are not betting the stock market will go up, only that mergers will be completed.

32.   But they are also determinedly independent, and in one key part of their lives are not prepared to complete a merger.

33.   Chevron is the fattest target, especially as it completes its merger with Texaco, which has a stake in a gas field here.

34.   Citicorp also could look at First Chicago Corp. after it completes a merger with NBD Bancorp Inc.

35.   Company officials said they still expect the merger to be completed, winning approval from federal and state authorities, even in New York.

36.   Completing this merger smoothly, he said, will clearly help it survive in the next round of consolidations.

37.   Company officials said the merger could be completed by the first quarter of next year.

38.   Condit predicted the merger will be completed by August, even if Europe opposes the deal.

39.   Completing the merger of the two previously acquired businesses had been in the works for months.

40.   Consider, for example, that America Online and Time Warner are trying to complete a merger based in part on the premise of a broadband nation.