31.   Chevron Corp. and Elf Aquitaine SA are linking service station and refining operations in Britain, where a price war has eroded profits.

32.   Canadian stocks fell for a third-day, trailing plummeting Asian and European equities on concern slowing far eastern economies will erode profits of exporters.

33.   Competition in general insurance has increased in the U.K. and has eroded profits there.

34.   Competition has eroded profits in the industry and clobbered restaurant bonds.

35.   Concern that moderate economic growth could still spark an acceleration of inflation, eroding corporate profits, helped to push stocks lower, analysts said.

36.   Commodity producers that operate on small margins are finding their profits eroded by foreign competitors.

37.   Competition in the crowded landscape of fast-food and casual dining chains eroded profits and sent restaurant bonds into a tailspin.

38.   Concern that interest rates will rise further this year, eroding corporate profits, was blamed for the fall.

39.   Declining Asian and European markets renewed concern that slower growth in those regions will erode the profits of Canadian and U.S. exporters.

40.   Fading concern that rising interest rates would erode bank profits helped the shares, traders said.