61.   Sales at large Japanese retailers in March soared as consumers rushed to buy big-ticket items before the government raised the consumption tax, economists said.

62.   Sales at large Japanese retailers slid for the fifth straight month in August as consumer spending remained weak after higher taxes imposed in April, economists said.

63.   Should results come in better than expected, that could rekindle speculation about higher interest rates and roil markets, economists said.

64.   Service companies more reliant on domestic sales have curtailed spending in recent months, and will continue to do so, economists said.

65.   Signs of strong growth or rising prices could short-circuit the rallies in the stock and bond markets, say economists.

66.   Should it be barred from qualifying, the Italian government might be tempted to abandon austerity measures and let the lira slide, economists said.

67.   Slower growth in Asia, which buys two-fifths of Japanese exports, will cut into sales of automobiles, electronics and machinery this year, economists said.

68.   Smaller federal deficits should allow interest rates to fall further, say economists.

69.   So far, wholesalers are reluctant to pass on the higher costs to retailers for fear of losing business, economists said.

70.   Such unrelenting growth, economists said, require tough action and a half-point increase to keep wages and inflation in check.