Cigna will sell 2.5 million shares, lowering its stake to about 5 percent, from 11.6 percent.

American Express is trying to lower its stake in Shearson to below 50 percent.

The trust said yesterday only that it would lower its stake to less than 50 percent but would retain "a significant long-term holding of at least 25 percent."

I absolutely believe that the government wants to lower its stake in the economy.

For example, in the third quarter Fidelity lowered its stake in Apple Computer from about 11 percent of the outstanding shares to around 2 percent.

But shortly after the Italian group lowered its stake, Brasil Telecom bought a mobile license.

The foundation that owns 74 percent of Wellcome said it planned to lower its stake to as little as 25 percent through an international offering.

In 2001, one year after Singapore lowered its stake, the park made its first profit of $3.8 million.

But shortly after the Italians lowered their stake, Brasil Telecom bought its own mobile license.

The French Government, which currently owns 48 percent of Aerospatiale, would sell shares to lower its stake in the new company to just 15 percent.