11.  Speculators sold contracts to offset existing long positions, exaggerating the decline, traders said.

12.  With slack exports, speculators in commodity markets sold futures contracts to offset existing long positions, or bets on higher prices.

13.  The exchange said Huatong must settle its existing positions and is forbidden from opening new positions.

14.  The first day of the talks was largely devoted to explaining existing positions, officials said.

15.  The first day of the vice-ministerial level talks was largely devoted to explanation of existing positions, officials said.

16.  The new group will consolidate existing strong positions in the TV and radio markets in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium.

17.  The notice said futures exchanges and wholesale markets had been instructed to halt all forward trading by making traders offset their existing positions.