21.   The bond market slumped after the release of the reports, which further dampened hopes that the Federal Reserve would soon cut short-term interest rates.

22.   The higher expenses are designed to help Merrill compete more effectively against rivals, but could hurt profits if stock and bond markets slump, analysts said.

23.   The key distinction was the size of the losses absorbed when the market slumped.

24.   The market slumped early in the day after six European central banks raised interest rates.

25.   The market slumped for the second time in a post-Labor Day sell-off that accelerated on fears of shrinking profits and a possible recession.

26.   The need to do something about currency speculators has been a rallying cry among Southeast Asian nations whose markets have slumped this year.

27.   U.K. stocks fell, led by bank and drug stocks, after Asian markets slumped and as U.S. shares were poised to fall.

28.   U.K. stocks are expected to fall after U.S. and Asian markets slumped, darkening profit prospects for British companies that sell into either market.

29.   U.K. stocks fell after Asian markets slumped and a fall in unemployment fueled concern U.S. interest rates are headed higher.

30.   While the biggest drops were in Southeast Asia, Latin American markets also slumped.