1.   Computer and semiconductor stocks slid as three brokerage firms downgraded earnings estimates for Dell Computer.

2.   Analysts had downgraded their estimates before the result.

3.   Technology stocks were also hit by a report from Salomon Brothers downgrading earnings estimates for Cisco Systems Inc., the top computer networking company.

4.   That behavior has led Le Tocq to downgrade sales estimates.

5.   The company was already looking to downgrade this estimate, as refining margins have fallen short of previous estimates because of excess refinery capacity in the region.

6.   Chief among the companies downgrading estimates is Yahoo, which also is looking for a new CEO.