31.   A tougher competitive environment, slower sales growth and a stronger dollar are all hurting technology companies, including Oracle, he said.

32.   A stronger shekel hurts exporting companies which earn in dollars and pay expenses in shekels.

33.   A weaker dollar hurts these companies because their profits are denominated in dollars and their fixed costs are paid in yen, analysts say.

34.   A yen that weak could hurt Japanese companies by making imported raw materials more expensive.

35.   A weaker ringgit hurts companies such as Tenaga and Telekom by raising the cost of their foreign-currency debt.

36.   A weaker ringgit hurts companies with large foreign debts, raising the costs to service the debts.

37.   Also hurting the company was the lack of any exciting new software to lure consumers into its stores this holiday season.

38.   Also, the company was hurt by cool weather in both Europe and North America.

39.   Business leaders reacted with anger, saying the measure will hurt companies, hold back French imports and increase unemployment.

40.   Business leaders reacted with anger, saying the measures would hurt companies, hold back French imports and increase unemployment.