11.   Brokers attributed the slump to sporadic profit-taking in the absence of any market-moving news.

12.   Brokers attributed the slump to fears of another attack on Southeast Asian currencies after the Malaysian currency fell to a record low against the U.S. dollar.

13.   Brokers attributed the slump to profit-taking following recent sharp gains in shares after the government intervened to prop up the market.

14.   Brokers attributed the slump to sharp declines in telecom stocks on fears of a price war between China Mobile and China Unicom.

15.   Brokers attributed the slump to continuing political and civil turmoil in Indonesia.

16.   Brokers attributed the slump to profit-taking, saying investors were reluctant to hold on to their positions ahead of the four-day Christmas holidays.

17.   Brokers attributed the slump to worries about the weakening Japanese currency, which investors feared could lead to a devaluation of the Chinese yuan.

18.   Dealers attributed the slump to dollar-buying by Thai companies rushing to repay foreign-currency debt after the latest in a series of credit rating downgrades.

19.   He attributed the slump to unseasonably warm weather in Europe and to an economic downturn in Japan.

20.   Nissan attributed its slump to falling demand for the Cube, a small sports utility vehicle, which was popular last May shortly after its release.