31.   Heavy rains have cut into fertilizer sales this spring, following a winter drought that depressed the sale of fertilizer for the winter wheat crop.

32.   Hurricane Floyd, which raked the East Coast in September, also helped depress sales, private economists said.

33.   The company, a maker of bearings, alloy and specialty steels, said weakness in the overall manufacturing sector is depressing its sales.

34.   Trotman said only an unforeseen event, such as a Mideast war or an oil price shock, could depress sales in the coming year.

35.   In terms of volume, car sales were mainly depressed by a slump in exports.

36.   A dark, foreboding cover and an unenticing blurb on the back can depress sales.

37.   But sales were depressed by the stronger yen and lower revenues from the non-ferrous metals division.

38.   Motorcycle sales were depressed by a sharp decline in domestic sales which outweighed increases in exports.

39.   Sales were depressed by lower revenues from fuel trading activities, along with machinery and information systems, chemicals, textiles and general merchandise.

40.   Sales were depressed by appreciation of the krona but this was balanced by contributions from companies acquired.