71.   It was the first reduction in the so-called federal funds rate in almost three years.

72.   Joseph R. Coyne, a spokesman, denied that any precedent had been set in announcing immediately the four earlier increases in the Fed funds rate.

73.   Lenders usually raise or lower other interest rates in tandem with the federal funds rate.

74.   Many analysts expect Fed policymakers to raise the federal funds rate on overnight interbank loans by a quarter point at the Federal Open Market Committee meeting Tuesday.

75.   Many traders had expected the central bank to lower its target level for the fed funds rate, the rate banks charge each other for overnight loans.

76.   Many traders buy the securities with money borrowed at overnight rates that track the fed funds rate.

77.   Members of the Federal Open Market Committee will meet Tuesday to consider raising the federal funds rate for overnight lending between banks.

78.   Moreover, homebuyers may move quickly within the next two months if the Federal Reserve looks likely to rise its federal funds rate, boosting real estate company earnings.

79.   Most analysts still expect a cut in the Fed funds rate next week.

80.   Mortgage securities could fare poorly if the Fed cuts the federal funds rate, or overnight rate at which banks lend one another overnight.