The indexes that track the performance of smaller issues declined modestly.

Prices for short- and long-term Treasury securities declined modestly yesterday.

Texaco's global output of natural gas and crude oil declined modestly in the quarter.

Interest rates declined modestly at Citicorp's weekly auction of 91-day and 182-day commercial paper.

On the other hand, the November job figures could be the start of a trend, which would see the unemployment rate declining modestly in 2012.

Housing starts, which were predicted to decline modestly, instead increased 4.5 percent.

Rates on Treasury issues declined modestly in the credit markets.

Treasury prices declined modestly in light trading, with the yield on the 30-year bond rising to 5.85 percent from 5.83.

The dollar declined modestly against most major currencies in quiet trading yesterday.

The number of commercial vehicles registered declined modestly, from 87,158 in 2000 to 82,077 last year.