11.   Analysts blamed the lackluster results on weak consumer spending.

12.   Analysts also blamed the selling on investor anxiety that the market has risen too far too fast since September.

13.   Analysts blame a stale cereal industry and weak growth among major brands.

14.   Analysts blame shrinking profit growth for the latest correction, as double-digit earnings increases drop to low single-digit gains.

15.   Analysts blame the hefty increases on everything from profit-starved HMOs to those ubiquitous Claritin ads.

16.   Analysts blamed a variety of woes, including the strong US dollar, for the Coke shortfall.

17.   Analysts blamed fears that lower corporate profits and a slowdown would hurt loan portfolios.

18.   Analysts blamed high energy costs.

19.   Analysts blamed investor skepticism and a poor market for European telecommunications shares in general for the weak demand.

20.   Analysts blamed investor worries about the outlook for corporate profits next year and related doubts about the likelihood of an early economic recovery.