51.   Despite the sales gains, though, foreign expansion is hurting the bottom line in the short term.

52.   Even so, some analysts said the sales gains portend strong retail sales this year.

53.   Ford Motor Co. also reported a July sales gain.

54.   French high-technology companies also notched third-quarter sales gains as they expanded in foreign markets.

55.   Going forward, though, analysts are expecting only moderate sales gains for the rest of the year.

56.   Going forward, analysts expect only moderate sales gains for the rest of the year.

57.   He and others noted that Wal-Mart, for instance, reported healthy sales gains despite the shorter selling period.

58.   Heavy discounting began just a few days before Christmas this year, and there are signs that sparked some sales gains.

59.   Home sales have declined, and retailers reported meager sales gains during the vital holiday shopping season.

60.   Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Co. also posted sales gains.