1.   Local investors powered huge gains in equities during the last few weeks, lured from low-interest fixed-income securities by high stock returns.

2.   Local investors have powered huge gains in the equities in the last few weeks lured from fixed income by low interest rates and high stock returns.

3.   Rising sales at telecommunications company Alcatel-Alsthom SA and retailer Carrefour SA powered the gains in French stocks.

4.   Rising sales at telecommunications equipment company Alcatel-Alsthom SA and retailer Carrefour SA powered the gains in French stocks.

5.   Stock underwriting helped power the gains.

6.   That showed smaller stocks powered the gain.

7.   The gain was powered by consumer spending on big-ticket items, such as houses and cars.

8.   Those gains have been powered by expectations of rising corporate profits as the economy expands.

9.   Small car sales powered the gains, but sales of medium-sized sedans and wagons were sluggish except when new models were launched, he said.