21.   That helped to offset weaknesses elsewhere, including a drop in business investment in computers and other equipment.

22.   Strength in PCs and computer services helped offset weakness in powerful business machines and computer storage devices.

23.   That helped offset some weakness that came from a confusing government jobs report, which investors struggled to digest.

24.   That helped offset some weakness that came from a mixed government jobs report.

25.   The Australian share market ended marginally stronger, as gains in industrial stocks slightly offset the weakness in the resources sector.

26.   The strength last month came from big gains in the West and Midwest, which offset weakness in other parts of the country.

27.   The weakness was offset by reduced costs, he said.

28.   Healy said the results, though only marginally improved, were on the high side of expectations and helped offset weakness in Europe.

29.   It said exports of personal computers and peripherals were expected to be firm in the period but not strong enough to offset weakness elsewhere.