1.   In the past, downturns were attributed to the cyclical nature of the recording business.

2.   Industry experts attribute this downturn largely to an overabundance of titles.

3.   Stephens attributes the downturn to woes in the dot-com sector, noting that most of his customers work for Internet companies.

4.   The downturn is attributed partly to a lack of breakthrough products.

5.   Mitsubishi Electric attributed the downturn in profit to the worsening semiconductor business.

6.   The company attributed the downturn in pre-tax profit to sharp falls in interest and dividend income due to low interest rates.