1.   This was used to buy capital equipment, to finance the integration of new acquisitions and to reduce debt levels.

2.   With debt levels rising and incomes barely growing, consumer spending is bound to slow, he said.

3.   And U.S. consumers are carrying the highest debt level in history.

4.   As a result, many retail companies have been struggling to bring the debt levels down.

5.   At the same time, debt levels are up sharply.

6.   Before the recent spate of sales, analysts had considered Brierley had reached the limit of its ability to finance further sizable acquisitions without seriously eroding its debt levels.

7.   Both are sensitive to interest rate movements because of high debt levels.

8.   Broaddus was also asked about the impact of record high household debt levels on the economy.

9.   Brazil also failed to meet targets for domestic debt levels in December.

10.   But a Comcast executive noted that the company did not look at those holdings as part of its long-term strategy and assumed the more optimistic debt levels.