31.   The measure is intended to help Japan fight deflation, a continuous fall in prices that erodes company profits and dampens economic activity.

32.   Lower mortgage rates had supported home building in past months, but a rise in rates since November was likely to dampen housing activity and refinancing, he said.

33.   The closure of Wall Street Thursday for the Thanksgiving holdiday and the presentation of the British budget next Tuesday also dampened activity on the London market.