31.   Silicon Graphics Inc. reported lower-than-expected profit as customers delayed purchases in expectation of new products.

32.   Similarly, state-controlled shipping line Malaysia International Shipping Corp. could have to delay purchases of new ships.

33.   Some of their employees are saying they are delaying major purchases.

34.   Some analysts expect a big fourth quarter as consumers who delayed purchases come back to stores looking for holiday gifts.

35.   Still, some retailers said they believed that shoppers were delaying purchases in part in the belief that prices would be cut as Christmas approaches.

36.   That could depress PC sales even more by causing customers to delay purchases until the first cut goes into effect.

37.   The forecast of a bumper crop could encourage buyers to delay purchases until the harvest in expectation of lower prices, analysts said.

38.   The inevitable result is that purchases are delayed, and then delayed again.

39.   The number of handsets sold worldwide is expected to decline this year as consumers delay purchases until new services like e-mail and video clips become more widely available.

40.   The Scudder purchase was delayed for the past two weeks, in part because of legal issues, said people familiar with the situation.