31.   The halt in production comes as gasoline stockpiles are falling.

32.   The increased consumption caused gasoline stockpiles to fall last week even though refinery production rose.

33.   Those stockpiles could fall further.

34.   Traders said consumption is expected to post a seasonal increase, and stockpiles are falling.

35.   To be sure, copper stockpiles are falling.

36.   While LME stockpiles are falling, U.S.-exchange held copper supplies rose yesterday for the first time after eight consecutive reports of declines.

37.   But he added there were indications the Russian stockpile was falling.

38.   Financial markets had been expecting stockpiles to fall in line with other economic indicators which have been pointing to a slowing down in the economy.

39.   However, Ralph said uranium consumption was about double the rate of production and large stockpiles were rapidly falling.

40.   But signs that stockpiles are falling and production has bottomed pointed to a rebound later in the year.