11.   The rate is highest for hotels that cater to tourists, which are particularly vulnerable in a sour economy, and lower for business hotels.

12.   The sour economy has also made it more difficult for families with children entering private schools for the first time to pay their tuition bills.

13.   Then, there was the matter of a sour economy and people clutching tighter to their purses and billfolds.

14.   Yesterday in Tokyo, stocks ended a seven-day rally on concern that the sour domestic economy will reduce corporate earnings, traders said.

15.   But a sour economy, particularly in the tech sector, meant Compaq workers had no place to go.

16.   But political realities and a sour economy have taken their toll.

17.   But the sour economy has caught up with these other segments too, said SG Cowen Securities analyst Drew Peck.

18.   Hardest hit by the sour economy, factories throttled back production and laid off hundreds of thousands of workers.

19.   Hashimoto is under increasing fire by critics in his own party and the opposition over the sour economy.

20.   Hashimoto is also under increasing fire by critics in his own party and the opposition over the sour economy.