31.   The current slowdown began last year amid rising energy prices and interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve to ward off inflation.

32.   The retail sector was hit by an economy that was slowed by interest rate increases, the dot-com shakeout, layoffs, profit warnings and rising energy prices.

33.   The vaunted recovery that has been more imagined than real is threatened by the double whammy of rising energy costs and falling corporate profits.

34.   U.S. stocks scored their third record this year as investors speculated that rising energy prices will trigger a profit boom in oil companies.

35.   What savings may result will be more than offset by other looming economic calamities, such as rising energy prices and layoffs.

36.   Aluminum producers say rising energy costs are crippling the industry.

37.   Among the threats facing the economy, the Fed cited slowing consumer demand and weaker corporate profits from rising energy costs and the fall in consumer confidence.

38.   Among other things, they are worried that rising energy costs will push up other prices.

39.   Bond prices slipped Tuesday after the Federal Reserve expressed concerns that rising energy prices could lead to inflationary pressures later.

40.   Builders said they are worried that the recent decline in consumer confidence, stock market volatility and rising energy costs will dampen sales.