1.   Also boosting bond prices is the expectation that economic figures due out tomorrow will show the economy is still sputtering.

2.   As the economy sputters, corporate decision making is bound to get even tougher.

3.   Borrowers may not see rates fall much more until bond traders see more evidence that the economy is sputtering.

4.   Bonds were little affected by government reports confirming the economy is sputtering and inflation is subdued, traders said.

5.   A decline in stock prices also helped bonds in the afternoon by reinforcing the view the economy is sputtering, traders said.

6.   Borrowers may not see rates fall much further until bond traders see more evidence that the economy is sputtering.

7.   Conversely, this indicator can also show whether the economy is sputtering.

8.   Generally, company credit quality has improved in recent years and will continue to unless the economy sputters, he said.

9.   Government reports released today confirmed the economy is sputtering and inflation is subdued.

10.   He said the economy may have sputtered recently due to bad weather, slow retail sales and a falloff in government spending due to the budget deadlock.