The rate increase was also good news for the dollar, which rose to 1.6705 German marks from 1.6645 earlier in the day.

The bond market was firm and public loan stock rose by up to 1.20 marks.

But just before the close in New York, it rose to 1.900 marks.

Commission income, less fees paid, rose 30 percent, to 3.30 billion marks.

Costs rose to 21 million marks each, as had size to 11,500 tons.

It rose further on Monday, to more than 1.7280 marks.

First-quarter sales rose 1 percent to 1.8 billion marks, the company said.

Sales rose 29 percent to 588.3 million marks, from the corresponding period last year.

Net interest income rose 13.6 percent, to 1.146 billion marks.

Sales in the first nine months rose 8 percent, to 39.1 billion marks.