11.   It has also suffered from bloated inventories in the United States, some of that caused by supplies of used vehicles turned onto the market as leases ended.

12.   It said it no longer faced losses from write-downs of bloated inventory, a problem that had tripped the company up several times over the last two years.

13.   It still lacks strong systems to control its bloated inventory.

14.   It said the loss stemmed from an effort to reduce its bloated inventory, something that would position it for better performance in the future.

15.   Meanwhile, Cisco is also shrinking its bloated inventory, either by renegotiating contracts with suppliers, selling off equipment in small quantities, or simply scrapping it.

16.   Ms. Walin said most retailers managed to reduce bloated inventories during the last week of December, which will take some pressure off them in the coming months.

17.   Now, manufacturers, who cut production last year to slim their bloated inventories, are increasing production to meet demand.

18.   Shares of CompUSA Inc., a computer retailer, fell amid concern slower demand and bloated inventories will lead feed-price competition and shrink profits, investors said.

19.   Some in the auto industry say that sales have only weakened slightly but that bloated inventories are forcing manufacturers to consider deeper cuts in production.

20.   Struggling with bloated inventories, Chrysler faces weak orders from its dealers for new vehicles, company officials say.