The index also dropped because of a fall in orange prices, from $5.31 a box to $3.47, reflecting sluggish demand.

"It's really pretty astronomical in this type of environment," she said, referring to the sluggish demand for most consumer goods.

Sharply higher exports more than offset the effects of somewhat sluggish domestic demand.

By that time, however, the sluggish demand for office space in lower Manhattan helped kill the project.

Certainly not businesses, which are reducing their expectations based on sluggish demand.

The bank said it cut rates because sluggish demand in the economy meant downward pressure on the already low rate of inflation.

The factory was closed two years ago because of sluggish demand and labor turmoil.

Analysts said the company still faced sluggish demand and fierce price competition.

And even with sluggish demand for electric cars, the EV1 will soon face formidable competition.

But most of the price increases have not stuck because of sluggish demand, industry experts say.