1.   Assets can shrink in value, but debt never does.

2.   But because the tax laws allow for averaging over several years, foundations need not slash programs the year after their assets shrink.

3.   Even though foundation assets have shrunk somewhat because of weakness in the stock market and the economy, the giving continues apace.

4.   Foundations contended that the old rule, in effect during an era of high inflation, made foundation assets shrink in real terms.

5.   Instead, its reserve assets have been shrinking even as its foreign debts have grown.

6.   One unpleasant result of this is that when assets shrink, there are fewer shareholders around to carry the management fees.

7.   So great was the demand for the insured accounts that the assets in money market funds shrank by more than a third.

8.   Both assets have shrunk since New Hampshire.