11.   The downside of waiting, of course, is that the market could tank if an expected tax cut prompts a wave of selling in January.

12.   The move prompted a wave of rate cuts by other European central banks.

13.   The report prompted a wave of short covering as investors who had bet that bond prices would fall bought securities to limit their losses.

14.   The sagging market has also prompted a wave of merger proposals that could significantly transform the industry.

15.   The rejection prompted a wave of self-examination.

16.   These forays employ terror tactics, mostly against Hindus, that have prompted waves of anger across India.

17.   They murdered the president and several ministers, prompting a wave of ethnic reprisals throughout the country.

18.   Wages and salaries were flat in manufacturing, a sector that has been hurt as the Asian financial crisis cut US exports and prompted a wave of imports.

19.   But a decrease in living standards, rampant government corruption and financial scandals have prompted a wave of unrest.

20.   Industry watchers cite a number of factors that make it unlikely the Allstate-Sterling deal will prompt a wave of takeovers of auto repair chains.