1.   But some traders were surprised by the stronger tone given progress made recently in soybean plantings.

2.   Corporate profits also continued to surprise traders.

3.   In its daily adjustment to the supply of money in the banking system, the central bank surprised traders by creating a larger-than-expected surplus.

4.   Prices of treasury securities dropped, as traders were surprised by data indicating strong home sales.

5.   The Bank of Japan surprised traders by announcing that it would allow money market rates to fall below the discount rate.

6.   The dollar surged against major currencies in New York trading after the Federal Reserve and other central banks surprised traders by buying dollars for deutsche marks and yen.

7.   The drop surprised traders who were expecting a seasonal slowdown in demand to ease the rate of decline and maybe cause an increase.

8.   The drop in prices surprised some traders, who expected that tight markets would lead to higher prices.

9.   The Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan surprised traders on Friday, buying dollars for yen as the dollar rose.

10.   The foreign buying surprised many traders, who expected institutions to await policy announcements of the new government before deciding their strategy.