51.   Some investors said that the pace of earnings gains could slow in the remaining months of the year.

52.   Surging stock and bond markets play a role in the earnings gains, analysts said.

53.   Still, concern about inflation and higher yields lowered the attractiveness of all stocks by reducing the worth of investments in future earnings gains.

54.   Still, some specialty chains reported strong earnings gains.

55.   The company is eking out earnings gains and has differentiated itself from Wal-Mart with upscale merchandise.

56.   The earnings gain is a reassurance that Stratus is back on track after two quarters of stalled revenue growth, investors said.

57.   The earnings gains at Wal-Mart and Home Depot came as the Commerce Department reported that overall retail sales were flat in July for a second consecutive month.

58.   The earnings gain was partly driven by a strong increase in newer drug sales, including the schizophrenia drug Risperdal and the gastrointestinal drug Propulsid.

59.   The earnings gains will make it easier for Nomura and other brokerages to write off bad loans at housing-loan subsidiaries.

60.   The earnings gain was partly driven by a strong increase in drug sales, including the schizophrenia drug Risperdal, the gastrointestinal drug Propulsid and the painkiller Ultram.