21.  Because of the partial shutdown of the federal government stemming from the budget stalemate, government reports on economic statistics scheduled for release this week will not be available.

22.  BELGIAN stocks fell after U.S. economic statistics raised doubts that inflation is under control.

23.  Bonds could get a boost if more discouraging economic statistics are released, since that would further discourage talk of higher interest rates.

24.  A batch of recent economic statistics hinted that tight labor markets are at last pushing up wage costs.

25.  A central bank official quickly said that such weak economic statistics could justify a lowering of lending rates later this week.

26.  A quick look at recent economic statistics shows they have reason to be concerned.

27.  Also, some investors are skittish about buying securities with so many economic statistics still to come this month.

28.  Almost every current economic statistic -- construction spending, new home sales, factory orders, consumer confidence, consumer credit -- is coming in higher than expected.

29.  But analysts said tax refunds have also been larger than expected, suggesting that wages last year might have fallen more than other economic statistics had captured.

30.  Business sentiment is still gloomy, and worrying economic statistics keep piling up.