31.   Conseco also increased its stake, while the Tullman group was reduced to a very minor investment.

32.   Cobra became a subsidiary after Tomkins increased its stake in the South African plumbing fittings company.

33.   Debis said last month it was in no hurry to increase its stake.

34.   Degussa AG, the chemical maker, also gained amid speculation its largest shareholder, Veba AG, is planning to further increase its stake.

35.   Direct community involvement is still the best way to increase their stake.

36.   DowElanco earlier this year increased its stake in Mycogen to prevent an anticipated bid for the company by an unnamed third party, widely assumed to have been Monsanto.

37.   Dumont said the company has no plans to increase its stake in the two plants.

38.   Director Dennis Weatherspoon also increased his stake.

39.   Earlier this year, Ford Motor Co. increased its stake in Mazda to about a third, effectively gaining control.

40.   Either plan would give BellSouth an opportunity to increase its stake in the future, the executives said.