1.   An official of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry said it is still too early to consider import restrictions to help domestic makers.

2.   An unexpectedly large jump in September factory orders helped makers of durable goods.

3.   Hot new designs, not coincidentally, also have tremendously helped equipment makers.

4.   In addition to offering popular models, Japanese makers were helped by manufacturing efficiencies and the fact the yen is near a four-year low against the dollar.

5.   Japanese stocks rose to a four-day high as the outlook for steady U.S. and Japanese interest rates helped electronics makers such as Sharp Corp. and Toshiba Corp.

6.   Japanese stocks rose after two days of losses amid expectations a higher dollar and stronger profits will help chip makers such as Hitachi Ltd., traders said.

7.   That should help makers of personal computers and cellular telephones, who use many of the chips, pull out of the current slump later this year.

8.   The Clinton administration repeatedly declined to invoke that law to help steel makers.

9.   Both car makers also were helped by brisk sales of new models, including sport-utility vehicles.

10.   The new labeling guidelines are expected to help makers of organic foods and other products that cater to consumers concerned about biotechnology.