The declining effectiveness of mass advertising is only the most visible sign of distress.

广告的有效性的大量下降是最痛苦也是最明显的标志。

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For the first time, borrowers have also convinced banks to relax terms on covenants—the checks in place to make sure the issuer comes back to the table at the first sign of distress.

借款人说服银行降低借贷合同订立的条款-----他们会借助一些适当的收据，确保当出现危机情况时，发行者能回到谈判桌前，就第一次签订的条款的问题重新协商。

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This failure is often the first visible sign of financial distress in a market where SEC disclosure rules are not enforced.

FORBES: Even If A Bond Doesn't Default, You Can Still Lose Your Money

They suggest that the mere act of issuing such a security was a sign of financial distress, and thus encouraged investors to sell.

ECONOMIST: Lawyers turn their attention to ��death spiral�� bonds

Rummell said this was not a sign of a company in distress.

NPR: Housing Woes Hamper Florida Landowner