1.   Consumer spending remains weak, while demand from overseas markets such as Germany and France has slowed.

2.   U.S. stocks were mixed as signs of robust economic growth bolstered retail, paper and oil shares while hurting demand for drug, tobacco and beverage companies.

3.   While demand for industrial products accounted for most of the gain, orders for transportation equipment fell for the first time since October.

4.   Demand for gasoline usually grows during the peak summer driving season in the United States and Europe, while demand for heating oil increases during the fall and winter.

5.   While demand for newsprint and uncoated groundwood papers remained reasonable, prices for pulp and other paper groups eased at the end of the period.