31.   A partial retreat in bond yields late in the session helped stocks somewhat.

32.   A weaker-than-expected economic report Friday, he said, would help bonds and that would help stocks.

33.   A strong U.S. stock market also helped Japanese stocks, traders said.

34.   A surge in demand from new domestic mutual funds starting up this week also helped stocks, said Hiroshi Masuda, deputy general manager at Yamaichi Securities.

35.   A stronger bond market also helped stocks, boosting shares in companies with large bond holdings.

36.   A stronger dollar also helps European stocks like British Petroleum Co. and Glaxo Wellcome Plc that have big stakes in the U.S.

37.   A soaring U.S. stock market also helped Japanese stocks, signalling that the economy there is robust enough to fuel increased demand for Japanese exports, traders said.

38.   A surge in demand from new domestic mutual funds starting this week also helped stocks, said Hiroshi Masuda, deputy general manager at Yamaichi Securities.

39.   A weaker yen also helped technology stocks by boosting the outlook for sales of exports.

40.   Also expected to help stocks today were signs that an end to the federal budget impasse may be in sight.