1.   Belt-tightening would allow the debt ratio to fall faster or income-tax rates to be cut.

2.   As this ratio fell, the convertibility of dollars into gold became more and more fragile until it finally snapped.

3.   As the fund becomes larger, Ms. Meyers expects the expense ratio to fall.

4.   But that ratio falls steadily, so that one teacher must look after six terrible twos.

5.   If ratios do fall significantly, current prices will seem exorbitant.

6.   In the next few years, that ratio will fall to two to one.

7.   That sent dividend yields up as price-to-earnings ratios fell, making stocks look relatively more attractive.

8.   The ratio fell below that figure last month, although it edged back up at the end of the month.