81.   A rate cut would mean lower borrowing costs for companies, thus improving the prospects for earnings growth.

82.   A more international approach is essential for earnings growth, Littman said.

83.   A return to steady earnings growth could fit the bill.

84.   A high price-to-earnings ratio reflects high expections for earnings growth.

85.   A lack of Fed action, she said, would provide some support for equities at a time when earnings growth was slowing.

86.   A modest return to stable earnings growth may not be evident for at least a year.

87.   A report showing weak manufacturing conditions in January signaled that earnings growth may be sluggish in the next several months.

88.   A surprise drop in the number of jobless workers in August and upward revisions to unit wage costs may take the shine off the slowdown in earnings growth.

89.   A rate increase eventually would handicap corporate earnings growth, making consumer-products companies look relatively better next to cyclical ones.

90.   A. To me, the really critical factor is an improvement in relative earnings growth.