31.   Sulzer Medica reports first-quarter profit rise, despite U.S.

32.   The bank said acquisitions made last year, two of them in the United States, fueled the net profit rise.

33.   The company attributed the net profit rise to increased operating profits, lower interest payments and a slight fall in the tax charge.

34.   Ericsson said that all its sectors of activity had contributed to the profits rise, with radio communications showing the strongest growth.

35.   Rationalization efforts and exports of semi-conductors and other electronic products are expected to contribute to the profit rise, Nihon Keizai said.

36.   Senior executive vice-president Valentin Araneta said the bank expected the profit rise to be driven by an increase in interest income from loans and underwriting of securities.

37.   The bank attributed the first half profits rise mainly to the success of its securities business which boosted both own-account trading and commissions and fees.

38.   The Board of Directors said the profit rise was accompanied by marked improvement in ordinary management.

39.   The company was only one of the four that expects a year-on-year profit rise for the full year to March.

40.   The company said the profit rise was due to cost controls and the development of new manufacturing processes.