41.   Job gains were particularly strong in retailing and construction last month, while a prolonged decline in manufacturing jobs slowed as exports showed signs of picking up.

42.   Large manufacturers, small companies and service providers all projected sales and profit growth would slow as higher taxes continue to burden consumers.

43.   Last week, that advance abruptly slowed as investors doubted earnings over the next year or two would meet expectations.

44.   Meantime, investment in stock mutual funds is slowing as the market rallies.

45.   Microscopic animals gobbled the plankton as fast as it grew, and the explosive plant growth slowed as much of the iron particles sank.

46.   Meanwhile, European and U.S. demand, though robust overall, is currently slow as consumption wanes in the run-up to the Christmas holiday period.

47.   Most analysts see some slowing as the year progresses, in part because of higher interest rates, especially on home mortgages.

48.   Municipal bond prices fell amid expectations that the rally in fixed-income securities could be slowing as the end of the year approaches.

49.   Municipal bond prices fell amid expectations the rally in fixed-income securities could be slowing as the end of the year approaches.

50.   Municipal bond prices fell amid expectation that the rally in fixed-income securities could be slowing as the end of the year approaches.