1.   Buying has slowed against the backdrop of a presidential election, interest rate hikes, and a volatile stock market.

2.   Demand for credit was still robust, though home-building and buying slowed.

3.   Yet that is a perennial first-quarter challenge for most PC makers because buying slows dramatically after the holiday season.

4.   Investors showed particular interest in blue chips such as Canon and Sony while buying slowed in recent gainers such as Honda, Toyota and NEC, brokers said.