1.   A Venezuelan official dashed speculation that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries would meet to discuss the recent decline in oil prices.

2.   Even as current sub-freezing temperatures boost demand, the rise in inventories dashed speculation that supplies will run dangerously low this winter.

3.   Helping rekindle Asian economic concerns, stocks in Japan plunged as the government there dashed speculation it would use public funds to aid ailing Japanese banks.

4.   His remark dashed speculation Japan and the U.S. will guide the dollar lower to help narrow their trade gap.

5.   Natural gas plunged to the lowest price in almost six weeks as mild weather in the U.S. dashed speculation that inventories would run thin this winter.

6.   The jobs figure dashed that speculation.

7.   The report dashed speculation that producers are flooding the U.S. with coffee after a rally in prices sparked by lean stocks and disappointing crops.

8.   They sought to dash speculation that Summers would miss the power of Washington and the glow of the news media spotlight he found there.