41.  Telefonica de Espana and Telecom Italia were the most likely companies to bid, analysts said, with both seeking to expand their considerable investments in Latin America.

42.  The company likely bolstered its case for a faltering business when it filed for protection under the U.S Bankrupcty Code last week.

43.  The company likely will remove corporate lending and treasury from its investment bank, leaving NatWest Markets as a smaller unit and one that is easier to sell.

44.  The combined companies likely would create the biggest supermarket chain in Southern California, outdistancing Vons.

45.  The mission seemed most beneficial to the medium-size and small company less likely to be known or to have a presence already in China.

46.  The only company likely to get a reprieve is Intel Corp., because it is the only source for Pentium microprocessors, used in almost all computers.

47.  There are many bargains among high-quality stocks for investors to choose from despite the difficulty of pinpointing companies likely to post strong returns in a shaky environment.

48.  To its critics, Infinity is becoming the company most likely to swallow up radio or, at least bring about an industry that is more monotone.

49.  U.S. stocks were mixed as investors flocked to shares of companies most likely to match earnings expectations, amid concern that interest rates are headed higher.

50.  While most of the money for a settlement is expected to come from higher cigarette prices, the companies likely will pay a lump sum up front.