He also expects sharp gains in its stock, which closed on Friday at $8.625.

But the bank said it expected business to pick up, setting off a sharp gain in its share price.

That was the sharpest gain in the last three years.

The dollar also recorded a sharp gain against the yen.

One reason for the sharp gains was the record pace of merger and acquisition activity.

The sharp gain from last year's extremely low level was, however, disappointing to some analysts.

Initial profit taking in wheat after two days of sharp gains did not last long yesterday.

A sharp gain was also reported by Europe's biggest independent chip maker.

The stock market posted its sharpest gains since early May.

He added that strong demand was the driving force behind the sharp gains.