31.   DEMAND for executives by Hong Kong companies experienced a slight drop in February.

32.   Finance Undersecretary Milwida Guevarra, however, downplayed the slight drop, saying most firms were still earning profits.

33.   He reported only a slight drop in advertising income for the shipping section, classified and special supplements -- in which the company is the market leader.

34.   He admitted that the rupiah plunge against the U.S. dollar had caused a slight drop in the turnover of NEXT products in Indonesia.

35.   He, however, anticipates a slight drop in the domestic market.

36.   In terms of sales earnings, there has been a slight drop over the past few months, but overall business is still quite good for us.

37.   In Johor Baru, there was a slight drop in the price of most essential items in the wet and supermarkets, compared to yesterday.

38.   It also causes a slight drop in fuel economy.

39.   Many analysts, who had expected a slight drop last week, said the current claims level reflects sluggish job growth.

40.   Meanwhile, a second report showed a slight drop in sales of existing homes in February.