1.   Computer-related companies are prized for their growth prospects more than their dividends, so any profit shortfall is particularly hard-hitting.

2.   Falling prices in its portable phone and chip businesses played a big part in its profit shortfall.

3.   It sees a significant profit shortfall in the second half because of the strength of the pound and continued weakness of the South African Rand.

4.   More important, fewer companies have warned shareholders about profit shortfalls this quarter.

5.   Numerous market leaders have warned recently of profit shortfalls, further battering their shares.

6.   Some investors said buying stocks that plunge on earnings disappointments is dangerous because one profit shortfall typically leads to another.

7.   The maker of electronic surveillance systems yesterday blamed the expected profit shortfall partly on production disruptions at a Puerto Rico plant because of Hurricane Hortense.

8.   The news was greeted warmly by investors, who have been besieged over the last month by corporate warnings of profit shortfalls.

9.   The rapidly growing operator of doctor groups for cancer treatment said a delay in completing some acquisitions led to the profit shortfall.

10.   The profit shortfall is one reason that TheStreet is likely to be at the forefront of what analysts expect to be a wave of consolidation.