1.   And higher rates also tend to crimp corporate profits, by raising the cost of borrowing.

2.   Also, higher rates make borrowing more costly and can crimp corporate profits.

3.   An interest rate increase tends to rein in business in the bond markets and crimp the profits of brokerage firms.

4.   Analysts said they expect the strength of the pound to crimp profit.

5.   Among the measures was higher interest rates, leading some investors to fear that the Venezuelan government could follow suit, crimping corporate profits.

6.   As benchmark lending rates rise, so do business costs, crimping profits and slowing expansion.

7.   Aside from attracting funds from the equity markets, higher interest rates can crimp corporate profits by making the cost of expansion prohibitive.

8.   AUSTRALIAN stocks dropped, led by mining stocks such as Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd., amid concern that declines in metal prices will crimp profits, traders said.

9.   Brazilian stocks tumbled, led lower by telecommunications companies, on concern that corporate profits will be crimped by higher borrowing costs abroad and at home.