41.   Analysts had expected a rise of about four billion pounds.

42.   Dealers said they had been expecting the rise, because of the low launch price of the issue.

43.   Dealers were also expecting a rise in British interest rates in the coming weeks.

44.   Dealers expect a rise in American interest rates, but are waiting to see whether the new data confirm their opinion.

45.   Economists had expected a rise in auto-related loans in November, on the back of strong auto sales in the month as dealers granted zero-interest financing.

46.   US dealers were expecting a rise in the consumption of car fuel oil in the United States.

47.   Many analysts have been expecting a rise all week.

48.   Lloyds TSB, Barclays and Standard Chartered have announced increased provisions this week, though some investors had expected bigger rises.

49.   On Wednesday, the pound gained almost a pfennig as the market seemed to expect a rise in British interest rates before the end of the year.

50.   Operators had expected a rise on Wednesday, the first day of the new trading month.