A modest upturn in rig move activity did not occur until towards the year end and competition was aggressive.

The model doesn't really want to produce anything other than a sideways movement in the economy for another two or three quarters and then a very modest upturn.

There was a modest upturn earlier this year, but construction is sluggish in much of the nation.

We can look forward to a gradual, modest upturn.

The anticipated car traffic between the Canaries and Morocco provided a modest economic upturn for the town.

"We're looking within a few years at a modest upturn in the traditional age group of students," Mr. Merkowitz said.

That clearly colors the thinking of the Bundesbank policy makers, and even modest upturns in inflation are viewed with alarm.

Now, in warning Congress and the Administration against large tax cuts, many of them insist that the economy is poised for a modest upturn.

As a result, the industry is in a position to make money from the current modest upturn in sales.

Most economists expect that the inflation figures will show a modest upturn, and that retail sales sagged again last month.