21.   But a steep selloff in the stock market helped limit losses as investors fled equities for the relative safety of Treasury bills.

22.   But as investors fled from those computer-related issues, one of the places where they sought refuge was in Internet company stocks.

23.   But as lawmakers dug in their heels on a bailout, foreign investors fled Mexico and put the government on the brink of default.

24.   But if investors are fleeing stocks of companies issuing great earnings reports, several theories may explain why.

25.   But many investors are still fleeing the major Southeast Asian currencies.

26.   But political strife has led to a financial crisis, and investors are fleeing.

27.   But the greatest tremors were felt in Southeast Asia, where investors fled from countries with large, potentially restive, Muslim populations.

28.   But Tim Ghriskey, a senior portfolio manager for Dreyfus Corp., said investors these days flee technology stocks if their earnings are anything less than awesome.

29.   But when markets tumble, he added, the lock-ups can cause newly issued stocks to sink out of sight once anxious investors flee.

30.   By now, most foreign investors have fled.