11.   Heavy price competition is one reason supermarket profits will probably remain sluggish for now.

12.   In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Overstock disclosed that while its hopes are high, profits remain elusive.

13.   Inventories appear low enough to encourage companies to lift production soon, and corporate profits have remained relatively firm.

14.   Investors are concerned that companies outside the technology sector could begin widespread layoffs if profits remain weak, hurting consumer confidence and causing consumer spending to drop.

15.   Now that Greenspan has cut rates three times in the current cycle, many investors expect the trend to continue -- and corporate profits to remain strong.

16.   Profits remained little changed as a steep increase in sales was offset by a similar rise in costs.

17.   Profits remain squeezed because the cost of supplies outpaced sales growth.

18.   Sales grew, but profits have remained elusive.

19.   So long as profits remain feasible, the record companies will continue to send out their scouts to recruit new talent.

20.   So actual profits remain unlikely this year.