The cash raised by the selloffs will help Texaco pay down some of the company's $8 billion in debt.

The extra cash could help pay for a move into a better school district, for example, or at least keep creditors at bay.

And as competition puts pressure on the earnings of the utility, cash will help it to keep paying a steady dividend, she added.

The cash will also help to reduce gearing from current levels of 70% to about '40%-ish'.

The cash would help the company support its new models.

The cash has helped the team cope with soaring player salaries; they hit $58.2 million last year, up from $17.7 million in 1993.

"Thank you," the woman said, the cash obviously helping to make up her mind.

The sport's governing body is hoping the cash will help its investigators and the police gain vital leads on crime in racing.

The extra cash will help tide them over until payments start coming in again.

"The cash will help them pay down their debt."