Mr. Murphy came to the G7 Group through a temporary-help agency in the early 2000s and stayed about three years, according to Ms. Hartley, who said she eventually concluded he didn't have the technical sophistication the firm required.

WSJ: Russian Spy Ring Aimed to Make Children Agents

Mossberg stayed for three and a half years, and then transferred to Washington as one of two full-time labor reporters.

NEWYORKER: Critical Mass

Of those managers, only 14 percent were in the top-half for three years in a row and 8 percent stayed in the top-half for four years straight, ending in March 2010.

FORBES: Index Fund Buyers are Skilled Investors

The wholesale price index, the main gauge of inflation in India, dipped below 7% for the first time in three years in January, and stayed below that mark in February.

WSJ: India Central Bank Cuts Lending Rate

The Saints stayed in town, and won the Super Bowl three years ago, a moment of sports and civic triumph.

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But core inflation, which excludes energy and food prices, stayed at 1.9%, the lowest recorded for three years.

ECONOMIST: Overview

But after shopping the footage to other filmmakers and finding no interest, he locked it in a fire safe, where it stayed for three years.

WSJ: Ty Cobb: A Juicy Look At the Georgia Peach

He stayed at a guru's ashram in India for the next three years, studying and worshipping in the presence of his teacher.

FORBES: High Network Individual