21.   Such difficulties may become more common across more industries as labor costs and borrowing costs rise and a less-confident consumer pulls back on spending.

22.   The prices mirror a seasonal pattern as gasoline costs rise in the spring and then retreat, analysts said.

23.   The prices mirror a seasonal pattern in which gasoline costs rise during the spring and retreat as autumn approaches, analysts said.

24.   Traders said investors likely will bet that rising rates will spur declines in stocks in the months ahead as costs rise -- and profits fall -- for businesses.

25.   U.S. stocks fell for the third time in four days on concern that higher interest rates could hurt corporate profits as borrowing costs rise.

26.   U.S. stocks rose after government reports showed unexpected productivity gains and the smallest labor cost rise in three years, signaling that strong profits are on tap.

27.   U.S. stocks rose after government reports showed unexpectedly strong productivity gains and the smallest labor cost rise in three years, signaling strong corporate profits.

28.   U.S. stocks rose after government reports showed unexpectedly strong productivity gains and the smallest labor cost rise in three years, signaling that strong profits are on tap.

29.   But they said talks will focus on helping thousands of middle-income actors earning less as production costs rise.

30.   For Malaysian firms, that means increasing productivity as labour costs rise.