21.   A. Traditionally, small caps are financially more vulnerable than large caps, because credit markets tighten up on them.

22.   All this time, of course, the budget surpluses were expanding, but the credit markets paid no attention.

23.   But in the credit markets, the outlook appears much bleaker.

24.   But I think it will be the beneficiary of continued chaos in the credit markets and a worldwide economic slowdown.

25.   But the bankers closed the credit markets to New York City.

26.   But then the bottom fell out of the credit market and the company was forced to retrench.

27.   Credit markets already have pushed up interest rates on home mortgages, car loans, business credit and the like.

28.   Credit markets are growing tighter.

29.   Credit markets became very stingy, with the junk bond market able to finance few new offerings, and charging high rates for those.