11.   Wall Street firms prepared their employees for the likelihood of smaller bonuses this year, and perhaps more layoffs.

12.   Yet cool summer weather and smaller bonuses are hurting spending and stranding companies with higher inventories.

13.   And because of theeconomic situation, which may lead to smaller bonuses, increments or evensalary reductions, they are keeping their cash in fixed deposits andsavings accounts.

14.   SMALLER bonuses or none at all.

15.   The company later backed down, offering a revised plan under which workers still stood to get smaller bonuses in a new profit-linked scheme.