1.   The company said earnings growth was fueled by stronger worldwide sales of pharmaceuticals and nutritional products, which includes infant formula.

2.   This sector was the most optimistic about the near-term outlook, expecting much stronger sales in April.

3.   Analysts expect stronger sales during the rest of the year, but margins are getting squeezed, particularly at Chrysler.

4.   Analysts interpreted that to mean stronger sales caused businesses to stock up on merchandise --rather than being a sign companies overestimated demand for new products.

5.   Analysts and executives at the networks and agencies gave two primary reasons for the stronger sales at CBS, Fox, NBC, UPN and WB.

6.   Analysts interpreted that to mean stronger sales caused businesses to stock up on merchandise rather than a sign that companies overestimated demand for products.

7.   Bear Stearns analyst Andrew Nef said in a report to customers that increasing demand for networking computers fueled stronger sales of semiconductors last month.

8.   Boston Chicken yesterday said second-quarter earnings more than doubled amid stronger sales at its Boston Market restaurants.

9.   But the stronger sales are unlikely to lead to worries that the economy is overheating, causing higher inflation, because auto prices have been falling, analysts said.

10.   But the revised composition still should show stronger final sales and lower nonfarm inventories.