11.   And last year, a robust mark helped bring the German economy to a standstill.

12.   As a result, the long-debated shift toward a more entrepreneurial, nimbler German economy has never occurred.

13.   AUSTRIAN bonds were little changed as new figures showing the German economy is still sluggish offset growing concerns about inflation in the U.S.

14.   At the same time, it needs the German economy to grow too slowly for German rates to rise and pull French rates up with them.

15.   AUSTRIAN bonds tracked German bunds lower as a report showing stronger-than-expected confidence in the German economy dampened hopes the Bundesbank will lower interest rates tomorrow.

16.   Bank officials denied that the rate reduction was directly aimed at stimulating the German economy.

17.   Both the French and the German economies have been stagnating since late last year, prompting fears of a new recession.

18.   A report showing an unexpected increase in December industrial production cast doubts over whether the German economy was slowing down enough to prompt a cut in interest rates.

19.   A strong deutsche mark hurts the German economy by making its exports more expensive.

20.   A strong mark hurts the German economy by making its exports more expensive abroad.