1.   Higher rates, in turn, crimp margins for banks and property developers and prompt investors to sell stocks.

2.   Property and banking stocks fell amid concern higher interest rates will raise borrowing costs and crimp margins.

3.   Rising input costs are likely to crimp margins this year, analysts said.

4.   Then, competition from cable and satellite television and low-cost retailers like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. started to crimp margins.