Prempro

...Later results showed estrogen-only pills, sold as Premarin, slightly increased older women's risk of a stroke and possibly dementia.

The new results for estrogen-only pills echo previous data from the same study showing estrogen-progestin had little effect on older women's overall well-being and quality of life.

The 10,739 women in the latest study, which appeared in Monday's Archives of Internal Medicine, had all had hysterectomies.

In both groups, fewer than 3 percent reported poor quality of life and scores for 40 percent were in the excellent range after a year.

Several doctors said the conclusions cannot be generalized to apply to younger women.

Dr.

Julia Johnson, vice chairman of gynecology at the University of Vermont, noted that the women were about 10 years past the age when troublesome symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats - which can affect quality of life - are most likely to occur.

"Using this study to look at quality of life is sort of like comparing apples and oranges," said Johnson, who was not involved in the study.

Dr.

Ginger Constantine of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which makes University of Nevada researcher Robert Brunner, the study's lead author, said estrogen pills reduced troublesome hot flashes in a subgroup of...

... Bloomberg.com: Germany Updated: New York: Sep 29 03:00London: Sep 29 08:00Tokyo: Sep 29 16:00 US AUBZFPGRHKIMJPLNSMIND : Regions Top Worldwide Regions Asia Australia & New Zealand Canada Europe Germany Japan Latin America U.K.

U.S.

Markets Economy/Politics Commentary Sports Culture RESOURCES: Bloomberg TV Bloomberg Radio Markets Germany E-Mail This Story Printer-Friendly Format Commerzbank, Bilfinger, DaimlerChrysler, HVB and Porsche: Equity Preview Euro Strengthens on Speculation Schroeder, Merkel Will End Power Deadlock Oil Trades Near Four-Day High on Concern U.S Supplies to Plunge After Rita Schering, DaimlerChrysler, HVB, Porsche: German Equity Preview Sept.

29 (Bloomberg) - The following stocks may rise or fall in German markets.

The benchmark DAX Index might be little changed at 5048, according to Deutsche Bank AG, as of 8:02 a.m.

in Frankfurt.

Futures that track Germany's benchmark DAX Index added 0.9 percent to 5049 as of the 8 p.m.

close Frankfurt time on Eurex AG, the world's biggest futures market.

The DAX increased 1.7 percent to 5048.74 on the Xetra electronic-trading system.

Stock symbols are in parentheses after the company names and prices are from the Xetra close unless otherwise stated.

Bilfinger Berger AG (GBF GY): Germany's second-largest builder said its offices were searched in connection with a probe into whether employees who joined the company from bankrupt rival Walter-Bau AG brought wit...

... Bloomberg.com: Europe Updated: New York: Sep 29 03:00London: Sep 29 08:00Tokyo: Sep 29 16:00 US AUBZFPGRHKIMJPLNSMIND : Regions Top Worldwide Regions Asia Australia & New Zealand Canada Europe Germany Japan Latin America U.K.

U.S.

Markets Economy/Politics Commentary Sports Culture RESOURCES: Bloomberg TV Bloomberg Radio Markets Europe E-Mail This Story Printer-Friendly Format Euro Strengthens on Speculation Schroeder, Merkel Will End Power Deadlock European Stocks Including BASF, Bayer May Fall; BHP, Miners Might Advance Boots Sales Drop for Third Quarter as Demand Slackens, Competition Grows European Stocks Including Philips May Fall; Miners May Advance Sept.

29 (Bloomberg) - European stocks most sensitive to higher energy costs may decline as crude oil climbed back above $66 a barrel.

Shares including Royal Philips Electronics NV and Unilever NV may drop after their U.S.-traded securities slipped ``I don't think we'll see oil below $60 this year,'' said David Thurtell, a commodity strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

``I don't think we'll see $50 a barrel until 2007.'' Mining stocks including BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto may rise after copper prices reached a record and gold touched its highest in 17 years.

October futures on France's CAC 40 Index dropped 4 to 4602 at 7:21 a.m.

in London.

The U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index may lose 2 to 5492, and Germany's DAX Index may slip 5 to 4595, according to Cantor Index, a...