1.   Higher rates can hurt company profits, though, by driving up borrowing costs and stifling consumer buying on credit.

2.   In several countries, exports have carried the economy, as high unemployment stifles domestic consumer spending.

3.   Profits will actually fall in the second half as a series of tax increases continues to stifle consumer spending, they said.

4.   Some economists have warned that the higher tax may stifle consumer spending, which is considered crucial to the economic recovery.

5.   The danger of this disagreement is that a flight from stocks and bonds could erode confidence, stifle consumer spending and turn economic stagnation into a recession.

6.   They also can stifle consumers from buying goods on credit.

7.   They can also stifle consumers spending by making credit more expensive.

8.   This caused a cash crunch which stifled consumer spending and strangled economic activity.

9.   This led to a cash crunch which stifled consumer spending and strangled economic activity.