51.   A BSkyB spokesman declined to confirm or deny press reports the British media company had decided to formally quit the alliance.

52.   A group of Malaysian investors, led by the Quek family, had also been involved in talks, according to Australian press reports.

53.   A few researchers have already done some arithmetic, basing their calculations on various press reports.

54.   A Japanese press report also fostered optimism that Japan will hold rates steady.

55.   A Kantor spokeswoman denied Japanese press reports that the U.S. had dropped one of its most controversial demands, for so-called numerical targets for components for new automobiles.

56.   A press report today predicted Foncier would post a net profit.

57.   A spokesman for Aceralia said the two smaller companies had accepted new terms, but none of the three companies would confirm the specifics in the press reports.

58.   A spokesman for Bertelsmann, Helmuth Runde, said the press reports referred to rumors that had been circulating for weeks.

59.   A spokesman for the company refused to comments on the press report this morning.

60.   According to German press reports, the company is considering legal action against the three media groups.