21.   An economic slowdown in Germany justifies the rate cuts, analysts said.

22.   An economic slowdown or hard landing will have only a slight impact on high-quality munis like California or New York bonds.

23.   An increase reported earlier Thursday in weekly jobless claims data added to a growing belief that the economic slowdown was under way.

24.   An important economic report issued today indicates an economic slowdown might not be far off.

25.   An afternoon surge in bonds helped boost stocks as some traders anticipated that an economic slowdown in the second half of the year will reduce the risk of inflation.

26.   Analysts point to the economic slowdown, which has crimped growth in energy demand.

27.   An Asian economic slowdown is expected to hurt U.S. growth.

28.   An economic slowdown could force companies to make early repayments, forcing investors to look elsewhere to match those yields.

29.   An economic slowdown in China and Hong Kong has led to more bankruptcies and loan defaulting by small firms.

30.   An economic slowdown, for one thing.