11.   British Petroleum Co. will report the profit increase as higher oil and chemical prices make for a big half throughout the industry.

12.   Competition continues to keep premiums rates low, particularly in the U.K., and profit increases are largely coming from growing life insurance units.

13.   First Call looks for a quarterly profit increase in the second quarter and a gain for the year.

14.   Half of the profit increase called for in the model will come from cutting costs, and half from higher revenue, Mullarkey said.

15.   He said there was no profit increase at Cahners or at its travel unit, where it has spent more on electronic products.

16.   Higher sales of its automotive, pet and plastic products led to the profit increase.

17.   However, profit increases still are key.

18.   However, some investors had counted on a higher net profit increase, helping to keep the share price down.

19.   However, some investors had counted on a higher net profit increase, contributing to an initial fall in Siemens shares.

20.   IBM and Compaq, however, still are expected to show profit increases.