71.   Investors said companies with the greatest international presence, like drugmakers, will continue to see their profits rise most.

72.   It said it expected profit to rise for the full year as well.

73.   Kawasaki Steel Corp. said profit rose one-third, and Kobe Steel Ltd. said profit fell less many had forecast.

74.   Low interest rates encourage consumers and businesses to take out more loans, while profits rise on lower borrowing costs.

75.   Many top investment banking executives received large pay packages last year as profits rose on Wall Street.

76.   Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. profits rose to a record high as demand for plant equipment picked up, a weaker yen boosted income and low interest rates cut costs.

77.   Mitsubishi Motor Corp. profit rose in the most recent fiscal year as cost cutting made up for a drop in export sales caused by a strong yen.

78.   Mitsubishi Motors Corp. profit rose in the most recent fiscal year as cost cutting made up for an export sales drop caused by a strong yen.

79.   Mitsukoshi Ltd., another premier department store, said its current profit rose to more than twice what it had predicted.

80.   Mitsubishi Motor Corp. profit rose in the most recent fiscal year as cost cutting made up for a drop in export sales caused by a strengthening yen.