31.   He said the rise was expected.

32.   However, Bankers Trust Australia chief economist Chris Caton expected a rise on Monday, saying there were technical reasons why an increase would not happen before then.

33.   In the December quarter, the agency said it expected a rise in industrial machinery and telecom sector orders, which would offset weak orders from the microchip sector.

34.   Investors are now expecting a rise in US rates in November, just after the presidential election.

35.   It added that a similar rise is expected for the current month.

36.   According to official figures, output fell by a further six percent last year, when experts were expecting a rise.

37.   Alitalia expects a rise in the number of passengers during the second half of the year.

38.   Analysts had expected a rise of about three billion pounds.

39.   Analysts, who had expected a rise, said that the figure confirmed fears of an economic slowdown in Britain.

40.   Analysts said they expected rises in hi-techs, automobiles and financial sector stocks.