Most of the Chicago change reflected a 74.5 percent leap in electricity prices, reflecting the introduction of summer rates.

The company concluded the first half of 2005 with a 55 percent leap in profits to 172 million pounds (251 million euros).

The two-day, 21.5 average rating marks a 45 percent leap over the comparable period in Nagano.

Another perspective: the 26 percent leap from last year's 12.4 was the largest since the 27 percent increase for the 1990 Series.

The rise in food prices, 2.1 percent, was less severe, but included a huge 58 percent leap for fresh and dried vegetables.

The 15.8 preliminary overnight Nielsen rating amounted to an extraordinary 65 percent leap from a 9.6 last year.

Overall military orders dived 36.5 percent following a 26.4 percent leap in June.

That is a 60 percent leap in three and a half years.

Go registered an even more dramatic 89 percent leap to 531,160 passengers in May.

The production increase was swollen by a 4.4 percent leap in utility output after a cool August that minimized air-conditioner use.