71.   The company said strong sales and earnings trends in Europe and North America were behind the profit increase.

72.   The company reported profit increase from its operations worldwide with sales growth in Asia and Latin America substantially higher than that of North America and Europe.

73.   The ERB has deferred discussion on a profit increase until hearings on that issue are conducted.

74.   The decline in wages, on the one hand increases the profits, but on the other makes it more difficult to employ them.

75.   The profit increase was attributable mainly to higher interest income.

76.   The profit increase is attributable mainly to a turnaround in chemical prices internationally, the group said in a recently-published report.

77.   The profit increases reported Tuesday come as many retailers struggle to attract customers and boost sales as the economy slows.

78.   The profit increase came mostly from strong sales of color copy machines and Bubble Jet computer printers, the company said in a press release.

79.   TRW saw its best sales gain in the space and electronics segment, which also had a profit increase.

80.   Viag attributed the pretax profit increase to cost-cutting measures and good performance by its energy, packaging, and North American metallurgic divisions.