11.   Canadian and U.S. bonds have rallied as a stream of reports showing a faltering economy and weak consumer confidence spurred optimism the U.S. Federal Reserve would take rate action.

12.   Consequently, everyone started saving for a rainy day and weak consumer spending slowed the economy.

13.   Concern over weak consumer spending following an April sales tax increase is weighing on stocks and boosting demand for fixed-income securities, traders said.

14.   During the shorter term, weak consumer confidence was expected to inhibit any recovery in the retail sector.

15.   Earlier this month, consumer products maker Rubbermaid said it expects second-quarter earnings to fall short of forecasts, partly because of weak consumer spending.

16.   Even so, in some states retail employment was less than expected amid weak consumer spending.

17.   Even with higher wholesale and producer prices, these analysts said, both industry and retailers are having a difficult time passing along price increases amid weak consumer demand.

18.   Franklin Electronic Publishers said weak consumer sales during the Christmas season, which led retailers to cut back on inventories, will cut into earnings.

19.   German retailers have struggled to lift their prices in the past two years amid weak consumer demand and postwar record joblessness.

20.   German sales remained sluggish amid weak consumer demand, the Cologne-based retailer said.