31.   Construction companies rose amid expectations the industry would benefit from the expected economic growth this year.

32.   DeSimone said he expects solid sales and earnings growth this year, helped by new products, strengthening economies and lower raw material prices.

33.   Despite strong job growth this year, however, there are only scattered signs of rising wages.

34.   Economists and analysts said that the latest employment data showed that New Jersey could expect slower job growth this year as corporate layoffs continue.

35.   Economic growth this year is expected to be among the best in Europe.

36.   Even so, the brisk pace of economic growth this year has raised expectations that the Fed will soon raise rates to prevent inflation from speeding up.

37.   Even so, analysts said the company will post double-digit pretax profit growth this year as well.

38.   Encouraging the optimism about the economy was a recent report that third-quarter growth this year was stronger than had been expected.

39.   Expectations of consumer price spending growth this year vary.

40.   Evidence from consumer and business surveys suggests that growth this year remains brisk.