31.   Investors are speculating the high prices will boost zinc stock earnings.

32.   Japanese stocks rose as signs of a rebound in consumer prices boosted retailers such as Seven-Eleven Japan.

33.   Losses were pared, though, as rising oil prices boosted oil stocks such as Woodside Petroleum Ltd. and Santos Ltd.

34.   Low disc prices boost sales, with DVDs of some titles outselling videocassettes.

35.   More broadly, higher oil prices could boost inflation, pushing up the low interest rates that have kept the economy strong for more than six years.

36.   Oil-company stocks rose throughout Europe amid speculation higher oil prices will boost profits.

37.   On the plus side, commercial real estate and construction continued to show strength and rising crop prices boosted farm incomes.

38.   Others say the tax issue is much ado about nothing and that lower electric prices will boost the economy, creating jobs and spurring industry.

39.   Peruvian stocks rose for the first time in three days as investors speculated that high metal prices would boost earnings at small mining companies.