When asked to name any potential acquisition target, it's common for analysts to single out companies that have recently completed an initial public offering.

Ms. Janis noted that the agencies try to weed out companies where the minority or woman owner is just a figurehead to attract business.

The United States lectures the Japanese to let the market weed out bankrupt banks and companies.

The authors were careful to filter out companies whose gain could be attributed to other causes, like a good earnings report or merger rumors.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Program, now in its second year, singles out companies for their public interest activities.

Such funds might, for example, screen out companies that do business with South Africa or that are seen as polluters.

She also focuses on a company's return on assets, which helps weed out companies with a lot of debt.

Moreover, the economic purpose of a recession, to weed out inefficient companies, is neglected in China because the state always protects companies from bankruptcy.

He has squelched temptations to single out companies that resort to quick downsizing.

It will also permit bankruptcies, until now a rarity in the Communist world, to weed out inefficient companies.