31.   But Black says he has had initial exchanges with someone who says he represents a consumer package goods company.

32.   But exactly how pervasive the practice is has long been hidden by the way consumer products companies account for the fees.

33.   But many consumer products companies said they pull out of a country only when the U.S. government imposes an embargo.

34.   But some major consumer electronics companies are introducing network-dependent products.

35.   But the executive said the sale of control of MCA did not represent a complete abandonment of the software business by the giant consumer electronics company.

36.   But the need to connect to PCs or networks makes the consumer electronics companies more dependent on computer companies for setting standards.

37.   But the most successful consumer products companies, like Colgate-Palmolive, have found more profit in incremental advances.

38.   But the same weak global economies that are dragging down performance at other consumer product companies has to have an impact on Gillette.

39.   But we may never get to hear it because of petty arguments between consumer electronics companies.

40.   Cliggott suggested that investors put money in large consumer companies doing business overseas.