11.   Higher borrowing costs hurt corporate profits and can crimp sales by leading businesses and consumers to reign in spending.

12.   High unemployment has crimped household sales, and recognition that the years of economic boom are unlikely to return soon are dampening expectations.

13.   In tires, though, unlike the cars or computers whose users crave the latest bells and whistles, innovation can also crimp sales.

14.   Indeed, economists for the Big Three said that they did not expect the interest rate increase to crimp sales this year.

15.   It said sales were crimped by the severe cold weather and storms.

16.   Mertz also said that sales had been crimped by labor unrest.

17.   Rising yields make it more expensive to take out loans for consumers and businesses, which can crimp sales of goods and services.

18.   Sales of newer digital copiers helped offset a stronger dollar that may crimp sales this year.

19.   Rising unemployment, spurred by a cutback in industrial jobs, also will crimp sales.

20.   That can crimp sales of companies that do a lot of business overseas.