11.   Strong refining profits also helped the top five U.S. oil companies post larger-than-expected first-half earnings this year.

12.   Strong corporate profits helped bolster revenues while program cuts have helped slow federal spending.

13.   The ice cream company recently removed labels claiming profits would help forest people after environmentalists complained the company was misleading consumers.

14.   The inflated profits helped drive up the share price of CUC International, making the company more attractive to potential acquirers and benefiting shareholders, including company executives.

15.   The increased profit helped shareholders too.

16.   The Mohegans opened their own casino, the Mohegan Sun, in Montville less than a year ago, and its profits helped finance their powwow.

17.   The profit might help him take care of his two young children.

18.   While good profits would help stocks advance next week, analysts said investors will continue to punish companies with disappointing earnings.

19.   Business profits helped the gang finance other activities that involved extortion, prostitution, armed robbery and murder, Leech said.

20.   U.N. officials and others believe the drug profits may also help bankroll terrorist networks linked to bin Laden and his al-Qaida network.