Despite a recent softening in the real estate market and the threat of defense spending cutbacks, California remains almost too attractive for outsiders to ignore.

More important, it may be that the recent softening of the art market has encouraged nearly everyone to make the best possible presentation.

The recent softening of the restaurant market in New York has also helped to fuel the flight to Miami, as restaurateurs have sought more promising locations.

The situation appeared to expose a conflict within the government over its continued ban on direct trade and investment with China, following a recent apparent softening of political attitudes.

Despite the recent softening in rates, $9 billion worth of one-year Treasury bills sold yesterday were auctioned at their highest rate in more than four years.

On Iran he criticized the recent softening of the French stance, but that merely means that he will return the government to advocating economic sanctions.

Logic might suggest that the recent softening of the market would make starter homes more accessible.

The rate reflects a recent softening in the junk bond market, as investors withdraw money from some junk bond mutual funds.

Some economists argue that the recent softening might be the beginning of a more severe downturn.

(He shrugged off a recent "softening of the metrics.")