51.   Though neither bank would officially confirm the reports, rumors that the banks were about to make an announcement buoyed share prices of both banks in recent days.

52.   A government report that consumers, the engine of the U.S. economy, continued to spend solidly in January buoyed share prices Friday on Wall Street.

53.   Another report suggesting that U.S. corn stocks are shrinking for the first time in years helped buoy the price.

54.   Anticipation of tax cuts in Japan also buoyed share prices in Hong Kong, as did lower interbank interest rates.

55.   But buying from public funds buoyed prices later, traders said.

56.   But even a top government economic official appeared to react coolly to the proposed package, describing it as mostly an effort to buoy stock prices.

57.   Corn prices also were buoyed by solid weekly export sales figures, turning higher after opening lower.

58.   Corn prices were buoyed by slow seeding as a result of soggy fields.

59.   Corn prices were buoyed not only by exports but by the approach of the three-day holiday weekend.

60.   Dealers said portfolio investment in the stock market continued to buoy prices, with the impact of the weaker peso being largely ignored.