1.   A strengthening of the mark against the lira often means the mark will gain against the dollar, as investors seek all opportunities to buy marks.

2.   The German mark also gained ground on currency exchange markets, a sign that speculators thought the European currency project might be in serious trouble after the French vote.

3.   The mark also gained against the yen.

4.   The mark gained further ground Thursday because signs of an economic pickup in Germany quelled speculation the Bundesbank will cut interest rates.

5.   The mark typically gains on any concern the planned monetary union could be delayed.

6.   When it refrained, the mark gained.

7.   When the mark gains versus European currencies it frequently rises against the dollar too, as speculators seek multiple opportunities to buy the German currency.

8.   Dealers said the German mark was gaining against other European currencies following gains by leftist parties in the first round of French parliamentary elections.

9.   Instead of the expected flight to the dollar, the German mark gained slightly in early European trading.

10.   The report by the Berlin Morgenpost, which caused the mark to gain ground against the dollar on Wednesday, could not be immediately confirmed.