Since 1973, however, productivity has grown at an average rate of only 1 percent a year, less than half its historical rate.

What has happened over the last six years is that we have seen a promotion rate at about 70 percent of the historical rate.

Investors seem to assume that a rebound to that historical rate is certain and probably right around the corner, even though corporate buying remains weak.

With the company's cash flow growing at a historical rate of 30 percent annually, analysts said it compared favorably with the related cable television industry.

"The return on a college investment is now nearly double the stock market's historical rate of return."

This increases the risk of inflation once economic growth resumes at historical rates.

The historical rates in new Taiwan dollars have been:

As a result of the recession of the early 1990s, power demand stopped rising at the historical rate for several years.

While that is in line with historical rates of return for the market, it takes into account neither investment fees nor taxes.

He said the same investment over the same period in the stock market at its lowest historical rate of return would amount to $160,000.