11.   Any rise in borrowing costs could slow economic activity and hurt earnings at construction companies and department stores, ahead of any other industries, analysts said.

12.   Any reduction in taxes could fuel a rise in spending and inflation, which will boost interest rates and hurt company earnings.

13.   APAC said its first-quarter earnings were hurt by a mutual decision with a client that required APAC to absorb unspecified staffing costs.

14.   Appliance makers and building supplies companies such as Boral Ltd., CSR Ltd. and Email Ltd. are among those whose earnings have been hurt by a home building slump.

15.   As expected, WestPoint Stevens said earnings were hurt by a large restructuring charge.

16.   At Fox Broadcast Co., ratings shortfalls in its prime time line-up hurt earnings.

17.   At the same time, it warned that excess inventories of denim will continue to hurt earnings in the second half of the year.

18.   Attacking the patent process, he said, would destroy the drug industry and hurt export earnings.

19.   Avon Products slumped after it warned its earnings would be hurt by slowing economies in Asia and Latin America.

20.   Avesta Sheffield warned that future earnings will be hurt by the recent appreciation of the krona.