Confidence NN B-NP in IN B-PP the DT B-NP pound NN I-NP is VBZ B-VP widely RB I-VP expected VBN I-VP to TO I-VP take VB I-VP another DT B-NP sharp JJ I-NP dive NN I-NP if IN B-SBAR trade NN B-NP figures NNS I-NP for IN B-PP September NNP B-NP , , O due JJ B-ADJP for IN B-PP release NN B-NP tomorrow NN B-NP , , O fail VB B-VP to TO I-VP show VB I-VP a DT B-NP substantial JJ I-NP improvement NN I-NP from IN B-PP July NNP B-NP and CC I-NP August NNP I-NP 's POS B-NP near-record JJ I-NP deficits NNS I-NP . . O Chancellor NNP O of IN B-PP the DT B-NP Exchequer NNP I-NP Nigel NNP B-NP Lawson NNP I-NP 's POS B-NP restated VBN I-NP commitment NN I-NP to TO B-PP a DT B-NP firm NN I-NP monetary JJ I-NP policy NN I-NP has VBZ B-VP helped VBN I-VP to TO I-VP prevent VB I-VP a DT B-NP freefall NN I-NP in IN B-PP sterling NN B-NP over IN B-PP the DT B-NP past JJ I-NP week NN I-NP . . O But CC O analysts NNS B-NP reckon VBP B-VP underlying VBG B-NP support NN I-NP for IN B-PP sterling NN B-NP has VBZ B-VP been VBN I-VP eroded VBN I-VP by IN B-PP the DT B-NP chancellor NN I-NP 's POS B-NP failure NN I-NP to TO B-VP announce VB I-VP any DT B-NP new JJ I-NP policy NN I-NP measures NNS I-NP in IN B-PP his PRP$ B-NP Mansion NNP I-NP House NNP I-NP speech NN I-NP last JJ B-NP Thursday NNP I-NP . . O This DT B-NP has VBZ B-VP increased VBN I-VP the DT B-NP risk NN I-NP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP government NN I-NP being VBG B-VP forced VBN I-VP to TO I-VP increase VB I-VP base NN B-NP rates NNS I-NP to TO B-PP 16 CD B-NP % NN I-NP from IN B-PP their PRP$ B-NP current JJ I-NP 15 CD I-NP % NN I-NP level NN I-NP to TO B-VP defend VB I-VP the DT B-NP pound NN I-NP , , O economists NNS B-NP and CC O foreign JJ B-NP exchange NN I-NP market NN I-NP analysts NNS I-NP say VBP B-VP . . O `` `` O The DT B-NP risks NNS I-NP for IN B-PP sterling NN B-NP of IN B-PP a DT B-NP bad JJ I-NP trade NN I-NP figure NN I-NP are VBP B-VP very RB B-ADVP heavily RB I-ADVP on IN B-PP the DT B-NP down JJ I-NP side NN I-NP , , O '' '' O said VBD B-VP Chris NNP B-NP Dillow NNP I-NP , , O senior JJ B-NP U.K. NNP I-NP economist NN I-NP at IN B-PP Nomura NNP B-NP Research NNP I-NP Institute NNP I-NP . . O `` `` O If IN B-SBAR there EX B-NP is VBZ B-VP another DT B-NP bad JJ I-NP trade NN I-NP number NN I-NP , , O there EX B-NP could MD B-VP be VB I-VP an DT B-NP awful JJ I-NP lot NN I-NP of IN B-PP pressure NN B-NP , , O '' '' O noted VBD B-VP Simon NNP B-NP Briscoe NNP I-NP , , O U.K. NNP B-NP economist NN I-NP for IN B-PP Midland NNP B-NP Montagu NNP I-NP , , O a DT B-NP unit NN I-NP of IN B-PP Midland NNP B-NP Bank NNP I-NP PLC NNP I-NP . . O Forecasts NNS B-NP for IN B-PP the DT B-NP trade NN I-NP figures NNS I-NP range VBP B-VP widely RB B-ADVP , , O but CC O few JJ B-NP economists NNS I-NP expect VBP B-VP the DT B-NP data NNS I-NP to TO B-VP show VB I-VP a DT B-NP very RB I-NP marked VBN I-NP improvement NN I-NP from IN B-PP the DT O # # O 2 CD O billion CD O -LRB- ( O $ $ B-ADJP 3.2 CD O billion CD O -RRB- ) O deficit NN B-NP in IN B-PP the DT B-NP current JJ I-NP account NN I-NP reported VBD B-VP for IN B-PP August NNP B-NP . . O The DT B-NP August NNP I-NP deficit NN I-NP and CC O the DT B-NP # # I-NP 2.2 CD I-NP billion CD I-NP gap NN I-NP registered VBN B-VP in IN B-PP July NNP B-NP are VBP B-VP topped VBN I-VP only RB B-ADVP by IN B-PP the DT B-NP # # I-NP 2.3 CD I-NP billion CD I-NP deficit NN I-NP of IN B-PP October NNP B-NP 1988 CD I-NP . . O Sanjay NNP B-NP Joshi NNP I-NP , , O European JJ B-NP economist NN I-NP at IN B-PP Baring NNP B-NP Brothers NNPS I-NP & CC I-NP Co. NNP I-NP , , O said VBD B-VP there EX B-NP is VBZ B-VP no DT B-NP sign NN I-NP that IN B-SBAR Britain NNP B-NP 's POS B-NP manufacturing NN I-NP industry NN I-NP is VBZ B-VP transforming VBG I-VP itself PRP B-NP to TO B-VP boost VB I-VP exports NNS B-NP . . O At IN B-PP the DT B-NP same JJ I-NP time NN I-NP , , O he PRP B-NP remains VBZ B-VP fairly RB B-ADJP pessimistic JJ I-ADJP about IN B-PP the DT B-NP outlook NN I-NP for IN B-PP imports NNS B-NP , , O given VBN B-PP continued VBD B-NP high JJ I-NP consumer NN I-NP and CC I-NP capital NN I-NP goods NNS I-NP inflows NNS I-NP . . O He PRP B-NP reckons VBZ B-VP the DT B-NP current JJ I-NP account NN I-NP deficit NN I-NP will MD B-VP narrow VB I-VP to TO B-PP only RB B-NP # # I-NP 1.8 CD I-NP billion CD I-NP in IN B-PP September NNP B-NP . . O However RB B-ADVP , , O Mr. NNP B-NP Dillow NNP I-NP said VBD B-VP he PRP B-NP believes VBZ B-VP that IN B-SBAR a DT B-NP reduction NN I-NP in IN B-PP raw JJ B-NP material NN I-NP stockbuilding VBG I-NP by IN B-PP industry NN B-NP could MD B-VP lead VB I-VP to TO B-PP a DT B-NP sharp JJ I-NP drop NN I-NP in IN B-PP imports NNS B-NP . . O Combined VBN B-PP with IN B-PP at IN B-ADVP least JJS I-ADVP some DT B-NP rebound NN I-NP in IN B-PP exports NNS B-NP after IN B-PP August NNP B-NP 's POS B-NP unexpected JJ I-NP decline NN I-NP , , O the DT B-NP deficit NN I-NP could MD B-VP narrow VB I-VP to TO B-PP as RB B-NP little JJ I-NP as IN I-NP # # I-NP 1.3 CD I-NP billion CD I-NP . . O Mr. NNP B-NP Briscoe NNP I-NP , , O who WP B-NP also RB B-ADVP forecasts VBZ B-VP a DT B-NP # # I-NP 1.3 CD I-NP billion CD I-NP current JJ I-NP account NN I-NP gap NN I-NP , , O warns VBZ B-VP that IN B-SBAR even RB B-SBAR if IN I-SBAR the DT B-NP trade NN I-NP figures NNS I-NP are VBP B-VP bullish JJ B-ADJP for IN B-PP sterling NN B-NP , , O the DT B-NP currency NN I-NP wo MD B-VP n't RB I-VP advance VB I-VP much JJ B-NP because IN B-SBAR investors NNS B-NP will MD B-VP want VB I-VP to TO I-VP see VB I-VP further JJ B-NP evidence NN I-NP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP turnaround NN I-NP before IN B-PP adjusting VBG B-VP positions NNS B-NP . . O Nevertheless RB B-ADVP , , O he PRP B-NP noted VBD B-VP , , O `` `` O No DT B-NP one PRP I-NP will MD B-VP want VB I-VP to TO I-VP go VB I-VP into IN B-PP the DT B-NP trade NN I-NP figures NNS I-NP without IN B-PP a DT B-NP flat JJ I-NP position NN I-NP '' '' O in IN B-PP the DT B-NP pound NN I-NP . . O Meanwhile RB B-ADVP , , O overall JJ B-NP evidence NN I-NP on IN B-PP the DT B-NP economy NN I-NP remains VBZ B-VP fairly RB B-ADJP clouded VBN I-ADJP . . O In IN B-PP his PRP$ B-NP Mansion NNP I-NP House NNP I-NP speech NN I-NP , , O Mr. NNP B-NP Lawson NNP I-NP warned VBD B-VP that IN B-SBAR a DT B-NP further JJ I-NP slowdown NN I-NP can MD B-VP be VB I-VP expected VBN I-VP as IN B-SBAR the DT B-NP impact NN I-NP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP last JJ I-NP rise NN I-NP in IN B-PP interest NN B-NP rates NNS I-NP earlier RBR B-NP this DT I-NP month NN I-NP takes VBZ B-VP effect NN B-NP . . O U.K. JJ B-NP base NN I-NP rates NNS I-NP are VBP B-VP at IN B-PP their PRP$ B-NP highest JJS I-NP level NN I-NP in IN B-PP eight CD B-NP years NNS I-NP . . O But CC O consumer NN B-NP expenditure NN I-NP data NNS I-NP released VBD B-VP Friday NNP B-NP do VBP B-VP n't RB I-VP suggest VB I-VP that IN B-SBAR the DT B-NP U.K. NNP I-NP economy NN I-NP is VBZ B-VP slowing VBG I-VP that DT B-ADVP quickly RB I-ADVP . . O The DT B-NP figures NNS I-NP show VBP B-VP that DT O spending NN B-NP rose VBD B-VP 0.1 CD B-NP % NN I-NP in IN B-PP the DT B-NP third JJ I-NP quarter NN I-NP from IN B-PP the DT B-NP second JJ I-NP quarter NN I-NP and CC O was VBD B-VP up IN B-ADVP 3.8 CD B-NP % NN I-NP from IN B-PP a DT B-NP year NN I-NP ago RB B-ADVP . . O This DT B-NP compares VBZ B-VP with IN B-PP a DT B-NP 1.6 CD I-NP % NN I-NP rise NN I-NP in IN B-PP the DT B-NP second NN I-NP from IN B-PP the DT B-NP first JJ I-NP quarter NN I-NP and CC O a DT B-NP 5.4 CD I-NP % NN I-NP increase NN I-NP from IN B-PP the DT B-NP second JJ I-NP quarter NN I-NP of IN B-PP 1988 CD B-NP . . O Mr. NNP B-NP Dillow NNP I-NP said VBD B-VP the DT B-NP data NNS I-NP show VBP B-VP the DT B-NP economy NN I-NP `` `` O is VBZ B-VP still RB B-ADVP quite RB B-ADJP strong JJ I-ADJP , , O '' '' O but CC O suggestions NNS B-NP that IN B-SBAR much NN B-NP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP spending NN I-NP went VBD B-VP on IN B-PP services NNS B-NP rather RB B-PP than IN I-PP consumer NN B-NP goods NNS I-NP should MD B-VP reduce VB I-VP fears NNS B-NP of IN B-PP more JJR B-NP import NN I-NP rises NNS I-NP . . O Certainly RB B-ADVP , , O the DT B-NP chancellor NN I-NP has VBZ B-VP made VBN I-VP it PRP B-NP clear JJ B-ADJP that IN B-SBAR he PRP B-NP is VBZ B-VP prepared VBN I-VP to TO I-VP increase VB I-VP interest NN B-NP rates NNS I-NP again RB B-ADVP if IN B-SBAR necessary JJ B-ADJP to TO B-VP both DT I-VP ensure VB I-VP that IN B-SBAR a DT B-NP substantial JJ I-NP slowdown NN I-NP does VBZ B-VP take VB I-VP place NN B-NP and CC O that DT O sterling NN B-NP does VBZ B-VP n't RB I-VP decline VB I-VP further JJ B-ADVP . . O Thursday NNP B-NP , , O he PRP B-NP reminded VBD B-VP his PRP$ B-NP audience NN I-NP that IN B-SBAR the DT B-NP government NN I-NP `` `` O can MD B-VP not RB I-VP allow VB I-VP the DT B-NP necessary JJ I-NP rigor NN I-NP of IN B-PP monetary JJ B-NP policy NN I-NP to TO B-VP be VB I-VP undermined VBN I-VP by IN B-PP exchange NN B-NP rate NN I-NP weakness NN I-NP . . O '' '' O Analysts NNS B-NP agree VBP B-VP there EX B-NP is VBZ B-VP little JJ B-NP holding NN B-VP sterling NN B-NP firm NN B-ADJP at IN B-PP the DT B-NP moment NN I-NP other JJ B-ADJP than IN B-PP Mr. NNP B-NP Lawson NNP I-NP 's POS B-NP promise NN I-NP that IN B-SBAR rates NNS B-NP will MD B-VP be VB I-VP pushed VBN I-VP higher JJR B-ADJP if IN B-SBAR necessary JJ B-ADJP . . O And CC O , , O they PRP B-NP warn VBP B-VP , , O any DT B-NP further JJ I-NP drop NN I-NP in IN B-PP the DT B-NP government NN I-NP 's POS B-NP popularity NN I-NP could MD B-VP swiftly RB I-VP make VB I-VP this DT B-NP promise NN I-NP sound NN B-VP hollow JJ B-ADJP . . O Sterling NNP B-NP was VBD B-VP already RB I-VP showing VBG I-VP some DT B-NP signs NNS I-NP of IN B-PP a DT B-NP lack NN I-NP of IN B-PP confidence NN B-NP in IN B-PP Mr. NNP B-NP Lawson NNP I-NP 's POS B-NP promise NN I-NP Friday NNP B-NP . . O In IN B-PP European JJ B-NP trading NN I-NP it PRP B-NP declined VBD B-VP to TO B-PP $ $ B-NP 1.5890 CD I-NP and CC O 2.9495 CD B-NP marks NNS I-NP from IN B-PP $ $ B-NP 1.5940 CD I-NP and CC O 2.9429 CD B-NP marks NNS I-NP late JJ B-NP Thursday NNP I-NP . . O Economists NNS B-NP suggested VBD B-VP that IN B-SBAR if IN B-SBAR the DT B-NP pound NN I-NP falls VBZ B-VP much JJ B-NP below IN B-PP 2.90 CD B-NP marks NNS I-NP , , O the DT B-NP government NN I-NP will MD B-VP be VB I-VP forced VBN I-VP to TO I-VP increase VB I-VP rates NNS B-NP to TO B-PP 16 CD B-NP % NN I-NP , , O both DT B-VP to TO I-VP halt VB B-VP any DT B-NP further JJ I-NP decline NN I-NP and CC O ensure VB B-VP that IN B-SBAR the DT B-NP balance NN I-NP of IN B-PP monetary JJ B-NP policy NN I-NP remains VBZ B-VP unchanged JJ B-ADJP . . O Friday NNP B-NP 's POS B-NP Market NNP I-NP Activity NN I-NP The DT B-NP dollar NN I-NP posted VBD B-VP gains NNS B-NP in IN B-PP quiet JJ B-NP trading NN I-NP as IN B-SBAR concerns NNS B-NP about IN B-PP equities NNS B-NP abated VBN B-VP . . O Foreign JJ B-NP exchange NN I-NP dealers NNS I-NP said VBD B-VP that IN B-SBAR the DT B-NP currency NN I-NP market NN I-NP has VBZ B-VP begun VBN I-VP to TO I-VP distance VB I-VP itself PRP B-NP from IN B-PP the DT B-NP volatile JJ I-NP stock NN I-NP exchange NN I-NP , , O which WDT B-NP has VBZ B-VP preoccupied VBN I-VP the DT B-NP market NN I-NP since IN B-PP Oct. NNP B-NP 13 CD I-NP , , O when WRB B-ADVP the DT B-NP Dow NNP I-NP Jones NNP I-NP Industrial NNP I-NP Average NNP I-NP plunged VBD B-VP more JJR B-NP than IN I-NP 190 CD I-NP points NNS I-NP . . O Currency NN B-NP analysts NNS I-NP predict VBP B-VP that IN B-SBAR in IN B-PP the DT B-NP coming VBG I-NP week NN I-NP the DT B-NP foreign JJ I-NP exchange NN I-NP market NN I-NP will MD B-VP shift VB I-VP its PRP$ B-NP focus NN I-NP back RB B-ADVP to TO B-PP economic JJ B-NP fundamentals NNS I-NP , , O keeping VBG B-VP a DT B-NP close NN I-NP eye NN I-NP out IN B-ADVP for IN B-PP any DT B-NP signs NNS I-NP of IN B-PP monetary JJ B-NP easing NN I-NP by IN B-PP U.S. NNP B-NP Federal NNP I-NP Reserve NNP I-NP . . O Late RB B-ADVP in IN B-PP the DT B-NP New NNP I-NP York NNP I-NP trading NN I-NP day NN I-NP , , O the DT B-NP dollar NN I-NP was VBD B-VP quoted VBN I-VP at IN B-PP 1.8578 CD B-NP marks NNS I-NP , , O up IN B-ADVP from IN B-PP 1.8470 CD B-NP marks NNS I-NP late JJ B-NP Thursday NNP I-NP in IN B-PP New NNP B-NP York NNP I-NP . . O The DT B-NP U.S. NNP I-NP currency NN I-NP was VBD B-VP also RB I-VP changing VBG I-VP hands NNS B-NP at IN B-PP 142.43 CD B-NP yen NN I-NP , , O up IN B-ADVP from IN B-PP 141.70 CD B-NP yen NN I-NP in IN B-PP New NNP B-NP York NNP I-NP late JJ B-NP Thursday NNP I-NP . . O In IN B-PP Tokyo NNP B-NP on IN B-PP Monday NNP B-NP , , O the DT B-NP U.S. NNP I-NP currency NN I-NP opened VBD B-VP for IN B-PP trading NN B-NP at IN B-PP 141.95 CD B-NP yen NN I-NP , , O up IN B-ADVP from IN B-PP Friday NNP B-NP 's POS B-NP Tokyo NNP I-NP close NN I-NP of IN B-PP 141.35 CD B-NP yen NN I-NP . . O On IN B-PP the DT B-NP Commodity NNP I-NP Exchange NNP I-NP in IN B-PP New NNP B-NP York NNP I-NP , , O gold NN B-NP for IN B-PP current JJ B-NP delivery NN I-NP settled VBD B-VP at IN B-PP $ $ B-NP 367.30 CD I-NP an DT B-NP ounce NN I-NP , , O up IN B-ADVP 20 CD B-NP cents NNS I-NP . . O Estimated VBN B-NP volume NN I-NP was VBD B-VP a DT B-NP light NN I-NP 2.4 CD I-NP million CD I-NP ounces NNS I-NP . . O In IN B-PP early JJ B-NP trading NN I-NP in IN B-PP Hong NNP B-NP Kong NNP I-NP Monday NNP B-NP , , O gold NN B-NP was VBD B-VP quoted VBN I-VP at IN B-PP $ $ B-NP 366.50 CD I-NP an DT B-NP ounce NN I-NP . . O East NNP B-NP Rock NNP I-NP Partners NNP I-NP Limited NNP I-NP Partnership NNP I-NP said VBD B-VP it PRP B-NP proposed VBD B-VP to TO I-VP acquire VB I-VP A.P. NNP B-NP Green NNP I-NP Industries NNP I-NP Inc. NNP I-NP for IN B-PP $ $ B-NP 40 CD I-NP a DT B-NP share NN I-NP . . O In IN B-PP an DT B-NP Oct. NNP I-NP 19 CD I-NP letter NN I-NP to TO B-PP A.P. NNP B-NP Green NNP I-NP 's POS B-NP board NN I-NP , , O East NNP B-NP Rock NNP I-NP said VBD B-VP the DT B-NP offer NN I-NP is VBZ B-VP subject NN B-ADJP to TO B-PP the DT B-NP signing NN I-NP of IN B-PP a DT B-NP merger NN I-NP agreement NN I-NP by IN B-PP no DT B-ADVP later RB I-ADVP than IN B-PP Oct. NNP B-NP 31 CD I-NP . . O The DT B-NP letter NN I-NP , , O attached VBN B-VP to TO B-PP a DT B-NP filing NN I-NP with IN B-PP the DT B-NP Securities NNP I-NP and CC I-NP Exchange NNP I-NP Commission NNP I-NP , , O said VBD B-VP the DT B-NP approval NN I-NP is VBZ B-VP also RB B-ADVP contingent JJ B-ADJP upon IN B-PP obtaining VBG B-VP satisfactory JJ B-NP financing NN I-NP . . O An DT B-NP A.P. NNP I-NP Green NNP I-NP official NN I-NP declined VBD B-VP to TO I-VP comment VB I-VP on IN B-PP the DT B-NP filing NN I-NP . . O The DT B-NP $ $ I-NP 40-a-share JJ I-NP proposal NN I-NP values VBZ B-VP the DT B-NP company NN I-NP at IN B-PP about RB B-NP $ $ I-NP 106.6 CD I-NP million CD I-NP . . O A.P. NNP B-NP Green NNP I-NP currently RB B-ADVP has VBZ B-VP 2,664,098 CD B-NP shares NNS I-NP outstanding JJ B-ADJP . . O Its PRP$ B-NP stock NN I-NP closed VBD B-VP at IN B-PP $ $ B-NP 38 CD I-NP , , O up IN B-ADVP $ $ B-NP 1.875 CD I-NP , , O in IN B-PP national JJ B-NP over-the-counter JJ I-NP trading NN I-NP . . O The DT B-NP company NN I-NP is VBZ B-VP a DT B-NP Mexico NNP I-NP , , I-NP Mo. NNP I-NP , , I-NP maker NN I-NP of IN B-PP refractory JJ B-NP products NNS I-NP . . O East NNP B-NP Rock NNP I-NP also RB B-ADVP said VBD B-VP in IN B-PP the DT B-NP filing NN I-NP that IN B-SBAR it PRP B-NP boosted VBD B-VP its PRP$ B-NP stake NN I-NP in IN B-PP A.P. NNP B-NP Green NNP I-NP to TO B-PP 8.7 CD B-NP % NN I-NP . . O It PRP B-NP now RB B-ADVP holds VBZ B-VP 233,000 CD B-NP A.P. NNP I-NP Green NNP I-NP common JJ I-NP shares NNS I-NP , , O including VBG B-PP 30,000 CD B-NP shares NNS I-NP bought VBD B-VP last JJ B-NP Thursday NNP I-NP for IN B-PP $ $ B-NP 35.50 CD I-NP to TO I-NP $ $ I-NP 36.50 CD I-NP a DT B-NP share NN I-NP . . O New NNP B-NP York-based JJ I-NP John NNP I-NP Kuhns NNP I-NP and CC I-NP Robert NNP I-NP MacDonald NNP I-NP control NN B-VP East NNP B-NP Rock NNP I-NP Partners NNP I-NP Inc. NNP I-NP , , O the DT B-NP sole JJ I-NP general JJ I-NP partner NN I-NP of IN B-PP East NNP B-NP Rock NNP I-NP Partners NNP I-NP L.P NNP I-NP . . O The DT B-NP sole JJ I-NP limited JJ I-NP partner NN I-NP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP partnership NN I-NP is VBZ B-VP Westwood NNP B-NP Brick NNP I-NP Lime NNP I-NP Inc. NNP I-NP , , O an DT B-NP indirect JJ I-NP subsidiary NN I-NP of IN B-PP Westwood NNP B-NP Group NNP I-NP Inc NNP I-NP . . O Both DT B-NP Westwood NNP B-NP Brick NNP I-NP and CC O Westwood NNP B-NP Group NNP I-NP are VBP B-VP based VBN I-VP in IN B-PP Boston NNP B-NP . . O Freight NN B-NP rates NNS I-NP , , O declining VBG B-VP for IN B-PP most RBS B-NP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP decade NN I-NP because IN B-PP of IN I-PP competition NN B-NP spurred VBN B-VP by IN B-PP deregulation NN B-NP , , O are VBP B-VP bottoming VBG I-VP out IN B-PRT , , O turning VBG B-VP upward RB B-ADVP and CC O threatening VBG B-VP to TO I-VP fuel VB I-VP inflation NN B-NP . . O Trucking NNP B-NP , , I-NP shipping VBG I-NP and CC I-NP air-freight NN I-NP companies NNS I-NP have VBP B-VP announced VBN I-VP rate NN B-NP increases NNS I-NP , , O scheduled VBN B-VP for IN B-PP this DT B-NP fall NN I-NP or CC O early JJ B-NP next JJ I-NP year NN I-NP , , O reflecting VBG B-VP higher JJR B-NP costs NNS I-NP and CC O tightened VBD B-NP demand NN I-NP for IN B-PP freight NN B-NP transport NN I-NP . . O Major JJ B-NP shippers NNS I-NP say VBP B-VP they PRP B-NP expect VBP B-VP freight NN B-NP rates NNS I-NP to TO B-VP rise VB I-VP at IN B-ADVP least JJS I-ADVP as RB B-ADVP fast RB I-ADVP as IN B-PP inflation NN B-NP and CC B-ADVP maybe RB I-ADVP faster RBR B-ADVP in IN B-PP the DT B-NP next JJ I-NP few JJ I-NP years NNS I-NP . . O That DT B-NP 's VBZ B-VP a DT B-NP big JJ I-NP change NN I-NP from IN B-PP recent JJ B-NP years NNS I-NP when WRB B-ADVP freight NN B-NP haulage NN I-NP was VBD B-VP a DT B-NP bright JJ I-NP spot NN I-NP for IN B-PP U.S. NNP B-NP productivity NN I-NP , , O helping VBG B-VP to TO I-VP restrain VB I-VP inflation NN B-NP and CC O make VB B-VP U.S. NNP B-NP industry NN I-NP more RBR B-ADJP competitive JJ I-ADJP abroad RB B-ADVP . . O `` `` O Demand NN B-NP has VBZ B-VP caught VBN I-VP up IN B-PRT with IN B-PP the DT B-NP supply NN I-NP of IN B-PP certain JJ B-NP types NNS I-NP of IN B-PP freight NN B-NP transportation NN I-NP , , O and CC O rates NNS B-NP are VBP B-VP starting VBG I-VP to TO I-VP move VB I-VP up IN B-ADVP '' '' O at IN B-PP a DT B-NP rate NN I-NP `` `` O close RB B-ADJP to TO B-PP or CC O slightly RB B-ADJP more JJR I-ADJP than IN B-PP the DT B-NP inflation NN I-NP rate NN I-NP , , O '' '' O said VBD B-VP Clifford NNP B-NP Sayre NNP I-NP , , O director NN B-NP of IN B-PP logistics NNS B-NP at IN B-PP Du NNP B-NP Pont NNP I-NP Co NNP I-NP . . O Shippers NNS B-NP surveyed VBN B-VP recently RB B-ADVP by IN B-PP Ohio NNP B-NP State NNP I-NP University NNP I-NP said VBD B-VP they PRP B-NP expect VBP B-VP their PRP$ B-NP freight-transport JJ I-NP , , I-NP storage NN I-NP and CC I-NP distribution NN I-NP costs NNS I-NP to TO B-VP rise VB I-VP about IN B-NP 4 CD I-NP % NN I-NP this DT B-NP year NN I-NP . . O Only RB B-NP 10 CD I-NP % NN I-NP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP 250 CD I-NP shippers NNS I-NP polled VBN B-VP expected VBN B-VP their PRP$ B-NP freight-transport JJ I-NP costs NNS I-NP to TO B-VP decrease VB I-VP , , O compared VBN B-PP with IN B-PP 30 CD B-NP % NN I-NP who WP B-NP had VBD B-VP looked VBN I-VP to TO B-PP freight VB B-NP transport NN I-NP to TO B-VP reduce VB I-VP costs NNS B-NP in IN B-PP past JJ B-NP years NNS I-NP . . O `` `` O This DT B-NP is VBZ B-VP the DT B-NP first JJ I-NP year NN I-NP since IN B-PP transportation NN B-NP deregulation NN I-NP in IN B-PP 1980 CD B-NP that IN B-ADVP we PRP B-NP have VBP B-VP had VBN I-VP such JJ B-NP a DT I-NP dramatic JJ I-NP and CC I-NP broad-based JJ I-NP upturn NN I-NP in IN B-PP perceived VBN B-NP transportation NN I-NP rates NNS I-NP , , O '' '' O said VBD B-VP Bernard NNP B-NP LaLonde NNP I-NP , , O a DT B-NP transportation NN I-NP logistics NNS I-NP professor NN I-NP at IN B-PP Ohio NNP B-NP State NNP I-NP in IN B-PP Columbus NNP B-NP . . O The DT B-NP deregulation NN I-NP of IN B-PP railroads NNS B-NP and CC I-NP trucking NN I-NP companies NNS I-NP that WDT B-NP began VBD B-VP in IN B-PP 1980 CD B-NP enabled VBD B-VP shippers NNS B-NP to TO B-VP bargain VB I-VP for IN B-PP transportation NN B-NP . . O Carriers NNP B-NP could MD B-VP use VB I-VP their PRP$ B-NP equipment NN I-NP more RBR B-ADVP efficiently RB I-ADVP , , O leading VBG B-VP to TO B-PP overcapacity NN B-NP they PRP B-NP were VBD B-VP eager JJ B-ADJP to TO B-VP fill VB I-VP . . O Shippers NNS B-NP cut VBP B-VP about RB B-NP $ $ I-NP 35 CD I-NP billion CD I-NP from IN B-PP their PRP$ B-NP annual JJ I-NP , , I-NP inter-city JJ I-NP truck NN I-NP and CC I-NP rail NN I-NP costs NNS I-NP , , O to TO B-PP about RB B-NP $ $ I-NP 150 CD I-NP billion CD I-NP , , O or CC O about IN B-NP 6.4 CD I-NP % NN I-NP of IN B-PP gross JJ B-NP national JJ I-NP product NN I-NP , , O down RB B-ADVP from IN B-PP 8 CD B-NP % NN I-NP of IN B-PP GNP NNP B-NP in IN B-PP 1981 CD B-NP . . O But CC O with IN B-PP much NN B-NP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP inefficiency NN I-NP squeezed VBN B-VP out IN B-PP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP freight-transport JJ I-NP system NN I-NP , , O rising VBG B-NP costs NNS I-NP are VBP B-VP likely JJ B-ADJP to TO B-VP be VB I-VP reflected VBN I-VP directly RB B-ADVP in IN B-PP higher JJR B-NP freight NN I-NP rates NNS I-NP . . O `` `` O Shippers NNS B-NP are VBP B-VP saying VBG I-VP ` `` O the DT B-NP party NN I-NP 's POS B-VP over IN B-ADJP , , O ' '' O '' '' O said VBD B-VP Mr. NNP B-NP LaLonde NNP I-NP . . O `` `` O Shippers NNS B-NP wo MD B-VP n't RB I-VP be VB I-VP able JJ B-ADJP to TO B-VP look VB I-VP for IN B-PP transportation-cost JJ B-NP savings NNS I-NP as IN B-SBAR they PRP B-NP have VBP B-VP for IN B-PP the DT B-NP last JJ I-NP eight CD I-NP or CC I-NP nine CD I-NP years NNS I-NP . . O Transport NN B-NP rates NNS I-NP wo MD B-VP n't RB I-VP be VB I-VP an DT B-NP opportunity NN I-NP for IN B-PP offsetting VBG B-VP cost NN B-NP increases NNS I-NP in IN B-PP other JJ B-NP segments NNS I-NP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP economy NN I-NP . . O '' '' O Robert NNP B-NP Delaney NNP I-NP , , O a DT B-NP consultant NN I-NP at IN B-PP Arthur NNP B-NP D. NNP I-NP Little NNP I-NP Inc. NNP I-NP , , O Cambridge NNP B-NP , , O Mass. NNP B-NP , , O said VBD B-VP `` `` O We PRP B-NP 've VBP B-VP gotten VBN I-VP all PDT B-NP the DT I-NP benefits NNS I-NP of IN B-PP deregulation NN B-NP in IN B-PP freight-cost JJ B-NP reductions NNS I-NP . . O Now RB B-ADVP we PRP B-NP are VBP B-VP starting VBG I-VP to TO I-VP see VB I-VP real JJ B-NP freight-rate JJ I-NP increases NNS I-NP as IN B-SBAR carriers NNS B-NP replace VBP B-VP equipment NN B-NP , , O pay VB B-VP higher JJR B-NP fuel NN I-NP costs NNS I-NP and CC O pay VB B-VP more JJR B-NP for IN B-PP labor NN B-NP . . O You PRP B-NP 'll MD B-VP see VB I-VP carriers NNS B-NP try VB B-VP to TO I-VP recoup VB I-VP some DT B-NP of IN B-PP the DT B-NP price NN I-NP cutting VBG I-NP that WDT B-NP occurred VBD B-VP previously RB B-ADVP . . O '' '' O Not RB B-NP everyone NN I-NP believes VBZ B-VP that IN B-SBAR the DT B-NP good JJ I-NP times NNS I-NP are VBP B-VP over IN B-ADJP for IN B-PP shippers NNS B-NP . . O `` `` O There EX B-NP 's VBZ B-VP still RB B-ADVP a DT B-NP lot NN I-NP of IN B-PP pressure NN B-NP on IN B-PP rates NNS B-NP in IN B-PP both DT B-NP rail NN I-NP and CC I-NP truck NN I-NP , , O '' '' O said VBD B-VP Gerard NNP B-NP McCullough NNP I-NP , , O lecturer NN B-NP in IN B-PP transportation NN B-NP at IN B-PP Massachusetts NNP B-NP Institute NNP I-NP of IN B-PP Technology NNP B-NP . . O Less-than-truckload JJ B-NP companies NNS I-NP , , O which WDT B-NP carry VBP B-VP the DT B-NP freight NN I-NP of IN B-PP several JJ B-NP shippers NNS I-NP in IN B-PP each DT B-NP truck NN I-NP trailer NN I-NP , , O discounted VBD B-VP away RB B-ADVP a DT B-NP 4.7 CD I-NP % NN I-NP rate NN I-NP increase NN I-NP implemented VBD B-VP last JJ B-NP April NNP I-NP . . O The DT B-NP carriers NNS I-NP were VBD B-VP competing VBG I-VP fiercely RB B-ADVP for IN B-PP market NN B-NP share NN I-NP . . O Railroad-rate JJ B-NP increases NNS I-NP are VBP B-VP likely JJ B-ADJP to TO B-VP be VB I-VP restrained VBN I-VP by IN B-PP weakening VBG B-NP rail-traffic JJ I-NP levels NNS I-NP and CC O keen JJ B-NP competition NN I-NP for IN B-PP freight NN B-NP from IN B-PP trucks NNS B-NP . . O An DT B-NP official NN I-NP at IN B-PP Consolidated NNP B-NP Freightways NNP I-NP Inc. NNP I-NP , , O a DT B-NP Menlo NNP I-NP Park NNP I-NP , , I-NP Calif. NNP I-NP , , I-NP less-than-truckload JJ I-NP carrier NN I-NP , , O said VBD B-VP rate NN B-NP discounting NN I-NP in IN B-PP that DT B-NP industry NN I-NP has VBZ B-VP begun VBN I-VP to TO I-VP `` `` O stabilize VB B-VP . . O '' '' O Consolidated NNP B-NP Freightways NNP I-NP plans VBZ B-VP to TO I-VP raise VB I-VP its PRP$ B-NP rates NNS I-NP 5.3 CD B-NP % NN I-NP late JJ B-NP this DT I-NP year NN I-NP or CC O early JJ B-NP next JJ I-NP year NN I-NP , , O and CC O at IN B-NP least JJS I-NP two CD I-NP competitors NNS I-NP have VBP B-VP announced VBN I-VP similar JJ B-NP increases NNS I-NP . . O