1.   Apple said last week that reports of merger talks are hurting sales, which will make its fiscal-second quarter loss wider than expected.

2.   As a result, the company reported a much wider loss.

3.   About half of the wider loss was from start-up costs and expenses, such as building new information systems and introducing a name and logo, Lucent said.

4.   Advanced Micro warned last week that it would post a wider loss than expected during the just-ended quarter.

5.   Contributing to the wider loss was the fading fortunes of Atlantic City.

6.   In a conference call, Chief Executive Gary Howard blamed the wider loss on increased depreciation costs for equipment and higher interest expense.

7.   In addition, WebMD said it expected to post slightly wider losses for the rest of the year than Wall Street analysts are forecasting.

8.   It also comes amid wider losses in its fledgling local-phone operations and as MCI is trying to jump-start sales and volume growth in its long-distance business.

9.   Ivax announced the wider loss and the resignation of President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Strauss on Friday.

10.   Its earnings are under siege from wider losses in its digital imaging business, falling amateur film prices and a rising dollar.