Reflecting a more cautious stance in this area, the bank recently lowered that ceiling from $50 million.

"What we might be seeing is a global retreat into a more cautious stance by providers of capital."

Their cautious stance also reflected concern about being on the wrong side of a bet if Japan does take steps to strengthen its economy.

Mutual fund portfolio managers have also been taking a less cautious stance.

To be sure, Merrill's current cautious stance on the stock market is tied primarily to concerns about the economy, not terrorism.

Economists say the cautious stance was attributable in part to uncertainty over the future of international oil prices.

"But now, they have adopted a much more cautious and careful stance."

But the company is still taking a cautious stance for the rest of the year.

While the police ascribed the killing to rebels, government officials took a more cautious stance.

But without a blueprint for that involvement, all sides seemed inclined to take a cautious public stance.