The drop, which surprised analysts, raised questions about whether economic growth might be faltering.

If domestic growth falters, however, investors may have second thoughts.

When growth falters - as it has done recently - politicians and the media panic.

If economic growth falters, these loans could be added to the banks' already large portfolios of bad debts.

The big social spending commitments of the late 1960's and early 1970's were made with the assumption that economic growth would not falter.

Europe's economy has since recovered, but growth is faltering already, potentially making it harder again to reduce deficits.

He said an economic recovery was expected, but that growth could falter.

When growth falters abroad, foreign businesses buy fewer American-made goods.

But then, growth faltered - and the corporate raiders arrived.

And revenues were off 6.1 percent for the year, the first time in 45 years that growth had faltered.