11.   Asahi Bank and Industrial Bank of Japan Ltd. led the slide as traders said rising interest rates threaten to erode bank profits.

12.   Bank stocks dropped amid a rise in borrowing costs, which can erode profits.

13.   Banks have slumped in recent months on rising past due loans and increased loan provision requirements, which have eroded profits.

14.   Banking shares rose amid fading investor concern that rising interest rates would erode bank profits.

15.   A falling dollar could erode the profits Japanese investors make on Treasury purchases when the investment is repatriated.

16.   A price war prompted by the slowdown could further erode profits, he added.

17.   A seven-fold increase in deposit insurance premiums will further erode profit.

18.   A small dip in viewing for CNN could drastically erode its profits.

19.   A weaker yen weighs on bond prices, discouraging foreign investors who see their repatriated profits eroded by the slipping currency.

20.   A stronger dollar and weaker yen weigh on yen-denominated bonds, discouraging foreign investors who see their repatriated profits eroded.