21.   In the U.S., better-than-expected first-quarter earnings at Compaq Computer Corp. bolstered investor confidence about the profit outlook for computer-component makers.

22.   Indications that interest rates could soon rise again on both sides of the Atlantic also mar the corporate profit outlook.

23.   Investors are growing confident the corporate profit outlook is improving based on expectations for a domestic recovery in consumer spending and other areas, he said.

24.   Investors are becoming increasingly confident the corporate profit outlook is improving based on expectations for a domestic recovery in consumer spending and other areas, he said.

25.   Investors again focused on smaller-capitalization stocks, which were driven higher by announcements that improved their profit outlook, analysts said.

26.   Investors are becoming increasingly confident that the corporate profit outlook is improving based on expectations for a domestic recovery in consumer spending and other areas, he said.

27.   It also said inventory reductions by some retailers of automotive products and higher advertising and promotion costs caused it to scale back its profit outlook.

28.   Japanese stocks fell amid rekindled concern over the profit outlook at financial companies such as banks and brokerage houses.

29.   Japanese stocks rose on optimism the profit outlook for electronics makers such as Hitachi Ltd. and other blue-chip companies, traders said.

30.   Japanese condominium builder Haseko Corp. reversed its profit outlook to a first-ever loss and announced plans to unload more than half its land holdings.