1.   It builds in and reinforces their dominance, but it damages the weaker economies.

2.   Sales across the country were slower than expected this year as consumers grappled with higher debts and concern about a weaker economy.

3.   Analysts attributed the wider shortfall to the weaker economy, which has depressed tax receipts this year.

4.   As prosaic as it may seem, the biggest dampers on the pace of acquisitions could be a weaker economy and, far more important, weaker financial markets.

5.   Bigger banks gained on optimism the weaker economy means the central bank is unlikely to raise interest rates anytime soon.

6.   A prolonged slump there will translate into a weaker economy here.

7.   A mild U.S. winter and weaker Asian economies slowed oil demand growth.

8.   A weaker economy reduces the risks of accelerating inflation, which erodes the value of fixed-income securities including bonds.

9.   A weaker economy lowers interest rates, which is good for stocks.

10.   A weaker economy would be a certainty.