The money supply figures were important when traders hoped they would fall, indicating that inflation was easing.

The upside was to stay at Salomon, and if the firm continued to prosper, the trader could hope to be repaid for past performance.

Some traders had hoped for an inflation-fighting increase in short-term interest rates on Friday and didn't get it.

Bond prices rose on the report, as traders hoped the Fed would ease credit in response.

The traders hope the figures will shed more light on the direction of the economy and interest rates.

In the novel, released in January 2001, the traders hope that a market collapse will force the government into needed reforms.

"The trader was hoping I had still had grain."

A trader hopes to make a profit by closing out the bet at a later stage at more favorable odds.

The stock market rose yesterday, as traders responded to strong earnings reports and hoped the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates this week.

In this report, investors and traders hope to find clues to the near-term outlook for the economy.