21.   Earlier this month, French officials had to revise economic growth forecasts for this year downward.

22.   Economists have been slashing their growth forecasts.

23.   Economists have lowered their growth forecasts for almost every Southeast Asian country, and that slower expansion will further curtail their appetites for imports of Japanese-made goods.

24.   Economists warn that the outlet for exports is in jeopardy because of slower growth forecasts in Southeast Asia and rising trade tension with the U.S.

25.   Economists, however, said that growth forecast could be too high.

26.   First, hesitation at believing long-term earnings growth forecasts.

27.   Finance Minister Goeran Persson said the ministry will lower its growth forecasts.

28.   French household spending on manufactured goods unexpectedly declined for the second month in September, raising speculation the government will be forced to cut its economic growth forecast.

29.   Government growth forecasts until now, as well as the forecasts of most independent economists, have predicted lower growth rates.

30.   Growth forecasts were slashed after the measures were announced.