81.   Bank stocks were down a day after the Bank of England reduced base rate by a quarter-point.

82.   British base rates stand at six percent following three quarter-point cuts since December last year.

83.   Dealers said that fears of a rise in British base rates caused gilt-edged stock to fall in early deals.

84.   Dealers expected the Bank of France to cut its base rates on Thursday.

85.   Dealers said investors are largely ignoring the latest OECD report which suggested that further increases in British base rates might be needed to contain inflationary pressures within the economy.

86.   Domestic influences here too raised the prospect of a hefty rise in base rates after May elections.

87.   Economists will study the data in an attempt to predict any future changes in US base rates.

88.   Economists said any easing in German key rates could be followed by similar moves in other European countries and fuel speculation that UK base rates have peaked.

89.   The pound fell early on Monday following publication of output price data which cooled expectations of an imminent rise of British base rates, analysts said.

90.   The presentation might also be followed by a reduction of base rate, they say.