91.   Lee said the company wants to reduce the payout ratio, holding the dividend steady while earnings rise.

92.   Litton also said earnings rose in the fourth quarter.

93.   Lockheed Martin Corp. and Rockwell International Corp. said quarterly earnings rose, meeting expectations, on strong demand for aircraft and for aircraft controls and communications equipment.

94.   Lincoln National Corp. said its fourth-quarter earnings from operations rose more than tenfold, led by annuities, reinsurance and its British businesses.

95.   MATTEL AND TYCO RESULTS IMPROVE Mattel said that its earnings rose in the fourth quarter, led by strong sales of Barbie dolls.

96.   Massachusetts stocks rose for a sixth day as shares of Shiva Corp. gained amid expectations that earnings will rise at the maker of computer networking equipment.

97.   Major oil companies said Monday that third-quarter earnings rose substantially, with some more than doubling, largely because of the increased price of crude oil.

98.   Mellon Bank Corp. earnings rose more than forecast, as did those of Perkin-Elmer Corp, an industrial instrument maker.

99.   Mexican stocks rose for the second day amid optimism that any rise in interest rates will be minimal and company earnings will rise.

100.   Mexican stocks rose on expectations that a stronger peso will help interest rates fall and company earnings rise.