11. At the same time, residential construction spending could decline as several housing market indicators point to a slowdown in the industry. 12. Australian exporters, such as resources company Broken Hill Proprietary Co., also declined as slackening economic demand in Asia leads to lower prices for commodities. 13. AUSTRALIAN stocks were mixed as banks gained on expectations of solid earnings growth while oil producers and base metals miners declined as metals and oil prices dropped. 14. Australian exporters, such as resources company Broken Hill Proprietary Co., also declined as slackening economic demand in Asia pushes commodities prices down. 15. Bank and financial stocks also declined as rising bond yields meant the companies will have to pay more to borrow capital. 16. Bank and insurance stocks, whose asset values reflect changes in the value of their substantial fixed-income holdings, declined as gilts slumped. 17. Banks and insurance companies, whose asset values reflect changes in the value of their fixed-income holdings, declined as gilts slumped. 18. Banks, which often decline as bonds yields rise, were expected to pace the retreat. 19. Before the deficit declined as a percentage of national income, the debate at the annual conventions was much different. 20. Big exporters, such as electronics companies, declined as hopes faded that their earnings will benefit from a further weakening of the yen. |