1.   At the time, analysts said the lower-than-expected earnings came because of problems keeping costs in check after two years of rapid expansion.

2.   But Dennis and other distributors say their earnings come from actually selling products.

3.   But for other stocks, the earnings come in and exceed expectations, and the stock skyrockets.

4.   But for the U.S. stock market to continue its two-year streak of big double-digit gains, corporate earnings had better come through.

5.   But if the U.S. stock market is to continue its two-year streak of double-digit gains, corporate earnings better come through.

6.   But when they start to see earnings come down, they look at the direction not the value.

7.   Cabletron said earnings came in about as expected in light of problems in its fiscal first quarter.

8.   CMS said its earnings on natural gas come from fees it levies for the use of its pipelines to deliver the fuel to homes and businesses.

9.   Earnings come out Tuesday.

10.   Earnings were coming in ahead of expectations, corporate borrowing rates were sliding, and the outlook for stocks looked less turbulent than any time since February.