41.   Obuchi has been regarded as the front runner for some time, and the yen actually gained against the dollar after news of his election broke.

42.   Oil and coal prices rose in September as the dollar gained against the yen.

43.   Other major European currencies have all gained against the U.S. currency.

44.   Samsung Electronics Co., LG Semicon and other companies profited as the yen gained against the dollar in recent weeks because Japanese companies are their biggest rivals.

45.   Shares in exporters such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Toshiba Corp. fell on concern the dollar will stop gaining against the yen.

46.   Since the yen started gaining against the dollar last month, pulp and paper companies have been the best performers on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

47.   SPANISH bonds fell, tracked German and Italian bonds lower, as the deutsche mark gained against so-called peripheral European currencies such as the peseta.

48.   Some investors said mortgages bonds will continue to gain against Treasuries in the new year.

49.   Stocks have gained recently against a backdrop of steady economic growth with little inflation, which has pushed interest rates lower.

50.   Stock gains in Britain were contained as the pound gained against the deutsche mark, signaling bad news for exporters to Germany, such as Blue Circle Industries Plc.