31.   U.S. and European stock markets were dragged down by continuing declines in Asia.

32.   Welfare policy experts say they have been surprised to see a continuing decline in welfare rolls.

33.   Agere predicted continuing declines due to lower spending by telecommunications carriers.

34.   Analysts said the performance has also been helped by a continuing decline in short-term interest rates .

35.   As for tin, despite continuing decline in production, the metal is still a major mineral mined in Malaysia in terms of value.

36.   Bond prices were mixed Thursday, in part because of a continuing decline in stocks on Wall Street.

37.   But the measures are foundering in the largely anti-reform parliament, and the continuing economic decline is compounded by bureaucratic red tape and corruption.

38.   But wheat fell in a continuing decline due to improved planting conditions.

39.   Deflation, a continuing decline in prices, is a dangerous obstacle to a turnaround because it drives income down and further dampens economic activity.