11.   Conoco Inc. said its fourth-quarter profit increased slightly because of better refining profit margins.

12.   Conversely, profits can increase without productivity growth.

13.   Corporate profits increased in double digits the last five quarters.

14.   Dell said its profits increased in part because of lower component costs, damping shares of disk drive makers.

15.   Crucible contends that if illegal imports of its patented magnets are stopped, profits will increase dramatically.

16.   Dell said that its profits increased in part because of lower component costs, damping shares of disk drive makers.

17.   Earnings per share grow when profits increase or the number of shares outstanding declines.

18.   Either profits must increase or the dividend must be cut.

19.   In overseas markets, U.S. stocks rose to records on optimism that a strong economy and falling interest rates will allow corporate profits to increase more than expected.

20.   Investor optimism that corporate profits will increase as economic growth accelerates means much of that investment will go into stocks, traders said.