31.   Consumer groups, however, expressed fear Monday that rates could increase in the long run as a result of the merger.

32.   Conventional wisdom, Gumbinger said, holds that rising rates dampen demand, and lower rates increase demand.

33.   College attendance and graduation rates would increase.

34.   Daniel Reingold, a telecommuniciations analyst at Merrill Lynch, agreed that local rates would increase.

35.   Divorce rates have increased over recent decades, but the rise had little effect on couples married right after the war.

36.   Downtown occupancy rates have increased sooner than anticipated.

37.   Dr. Overpeck said she did not know why the infant homicide rate was increasing.

38.   Erosion rates have increased in areas of constant traffic, both in mountain areas and grassland areas.

39.   Falling rates increase the demand for loans, and tend to make lending more profitable.

40.   Federal health officials say the participation rate nationwide has increased every year for the last decade.