1.   Democrats regained control of the Assembly, knocked off two incumbent Republican congressmen and fattened their margin in the state Senate.

2.   It also has a strong private-label business, often a way for stores to fatten margins.

3.   The gigantic write-down has sparked widespread speculation that Cisco could either sell the parts later or use them in equipment in the future, fattening its margins.

4.   The U.S. ethanol industry is poised for a rebound amid a bigger corn harvest this fall that will help fatten margins, the Agriculture Department said.

5.   Ahold said higher profits were due largely to a confluence of positive factors that helped fatten margins at most of its profitable operations throughout Europe and the United States.

6.   Lower rates tend to fatten margins at financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies brokerages and utilities.

7.   These companies tend to do well as interest rates fall, cutting their financing costs and fattening their margins.