71.   The company also confirmed reports that it is seeking an alliance with a drug concern, but did not identify which one.

72.   The company confirmed it was investigating ways of reducing the incidence of excessively smelly gas, which it said causes unnecessary emergency call-outs.

73.   The company confirmed that decision Friday.

74.   The company confirmed that Dunavant is on vacation.

75.   The company confirmed the appointment of Christine Morin-Postel, currently head of its Financiere Indosuez unit, to chair Credisuez.

76.   The company confirmed the plan to start the new fund in a filing with the SEC.

77.   The company confirmed the report, and requested a suspension of the stock until the shareholder could finish the sale.

78.   The company did not confirm this.

79.   The companies confirmed the talks last month, though they declined to give details of the negotiations.

80.   The companies confirmed Wednesday that they were talking.