1.   Dow was a predictable corporate heavyweight, announcing that it was cooperating with an investigation by state regulators and barred from saying much.

2.   The state is home to such corporate heavyweights as SBC Communications, Dell Computer, Texas Instruments and the Compaq Computer Corp.

3.   Among early advancers were corporate heavyweights Sony Corp. and Toyota Motor Co.

4.   In Europe, meanwhile, news of a record loss at France Telecom brought yet another reminder of the sorry state of many corporate heavyweights.

5.   But although investors have been encouraged by recent signs of recovery in the global economy, optimism has been tempered by severe financial difficulties at many corporate heavyweights.

6.   Earnings forecasts for most corporate heavyweights in Singapore had dropped in line with slower economic growth, he added.

7.   Wall Street could come under pressure through the week though as more US corporate heavyweights reveal how they fared in the latest quarter.

8.   Though investors have been encouraged by recent signs of recovery in the global economy, optimism has been tempered by severe financial difficulties at many corporate heavyweights.

9.   The Australian share market edged marginally higher Wednesday despite falls in local corporate heavyweights News Corp amd Telstra, brokers said.