Merrill officials disputed the view that those departures signaled a decline of Merrill's research.

Some sources say that Elliott's departure signalled the internal dissatisfaction.

Analysts, in a conference call with Sun Microsystems, wondered whether the departures signaled the beginning of an exodus.

This rather unceremonious departure signaled the end of the ball.

Maine was removed because of a high pitch count, not for ineffectiveness, and his departure signaled the Mets' doom.

However, his departure also signaled the beginning of a downturn for Trafalgar House.

A departure from the bench from this group could signal a shift.

The departure signaled the end of an era; Dr. Hunkapiller had been the company's technical leader and public face.

But it was not clear whether the departure signaled an end of their eight-month protest.

TK's departure signalled the end of the band's hard rock era.