91.  Construction companies such as Kumugai Gumi Co. and financial companies like Acom Co. led decliners.

92.  Consumer non-durable companies such as Coca-Cola and Gillette Co., utilities and some financial companies appear strong.

93.  Daiwa Securities Co. President Motoo Esaka will step down following a widening gangster payoff scandal that has forced mass resignations at three other major financial companies this year.

94.  Daiwa and Nikko are two of five major financial companies implicated in the payoff scandal.

95.  Daiwa is the fourth major Japanese financial company after Yamaichi, Nomura Securities Co. and Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank Ltd. to be accused of paying off Koike.

96.  Data-mining software used by financial companies could be used to spot health trends as early warnings for bioterrorism attacks.

97.  Dawkins is chairman and chief executive officer of Primerica Financial Services, an unusual financial company with headquarters in Duluth, Ga.

98.  Economic reports showing no signs of inflation sent bond yields to eight-month lows, benefiting financial companies like Citicorp and American Express Co.

99.  Eight other big sectors, including financial companies, utilities and basic materials makers, deteriorated during that period.

100.  European financial companies have said, however, that even an unbalanced agreement offers some additional access and prevents developing countries from further closing their markets.