11.   Among them, he said, were falling interest rates, low inflation and strong earnings growth.

12.   Analysts attributed the strong earnings to a number of factors aside from the gains racked up by Wall Street.

13.   Analysts said shares fell because the stock price had risen in anticipation of the strong earnings.

14.   Analysts said the new EDS stock could rise because of strong earnings potential.

15.   Analysts said Halliburton already performed so well, with strong earnings despite weak energy prices, that a world diplomat could prove more valuable than an energy industry veteran.

16.   Analysts say the company has been restructured well, posting strong earnings in some recent quarters.

17.   Analysts expect the companies to post strong earnings in June.

18.   And even strong earnings from Ford Motor did not help it.

19.   Analysts said the downturn will be short-lived after strong earnings reports for Hungarian exporters and new issues planned in Poland lure more foreign money.

20.   And financial-services companies, for which continued consolidations are expected, rose, aided by a strong earnings report from Goldman Sachs.