51.   That is the first decline this year other than those that reflected the vagaries of the weather and seasonal adjustments.

52.   That was the first decline since March and lends credence to statements by Japanese officials that the surplus is stabilizing as manufacturers rely less on exports.

53.   The December figure marks the first significant decline since the index was created three years ago.

54.   The downgrade comes after Wal-Mart reported its first decline in quarterly earnings in its history and same-store sales growth has slowed.

55.   The industry already was expected to see its first ever yearly decline in shipments because of slow corporate and consumer sales.

56.   The number of housing units on which construction was completed fell in October, posting the first decline in four months, Commerce Department figures showed.

57.   The technology-driven Nasdaq composite index closed out its first weekly decline in six weeks despite a Friday gain.

58.   The weakening dollar pulled bonds lower, their first decline in five days.

59.   There were declines in hazardous waste management, cleanup of polluted sites, and environmental consulting and engineering, the latter experiencing its first overall market decline on record.

60.   This was the first decline in average overall daily cost in the five years that the report has been done.