11.   Their expansion has slowed as they struggle to recoup their investments.

12.   While the worldwide demand for fiber continues to grow, the expansion has slowed somewhat since many telecommunications companies ran into financial trouble.

13.   While no figures are available for the fourth quarter, economic reports show the expansion slowed.

14.   Yet the government said the exports and housing investment that helped fuel that expansion will slow this quarter.

15.   Questions have been raised about how companies will fare financially if the economic expansion slows to a significant degree.

16.   Although U.S. economic expansion has slowed, it is too early to speak of a recession, Tietmeyer said.

17.   Fueled by falling inflation and a boom in investment, the growth spurt could last as long as a decade, he noted, after which expansion will slow.

18.   Influential Russian lawmakers warned on Monday that NATO expansion could slow economic and democratic reforms by compelling Russia to increase spending on military hardware.

19.   The latest figures show the New Zealand economy growing at a moderate rate, although signs are emerging that the expansion is slowing as the global economy slows.