31.   The firm tone of the yen against the dollar had little impact on export-dependent stocks, they said.

32.   The dollar was steady in midafternoon trade, retaining a firm tone against the yen but with investors reluctant to test its upward resistance levels, dealers said.

33.   The firm tone of the mark against the yen, in turn, boosted upside prospects of the dollar against the yen, they said.

34.   The market had been stable with a generally firm tone, Tim Koller of Hendry Hay McIntosh said.

35.   The market then pulled itself together thanks to a firm tone on the bond markets, analysts said.