11.   Analysts were surprised by the lower imports because an earlier report showed a big jump in inventories held by wholesalers for the month.

12.   Boeing surprised analysts with a significant drop in research and development costs, and a lower effective tax rate because of its recent early retirement offer to employees.

13.   A battered Apple Computer Inc. surprised analysts Wednesday, reporting a smaller-than-expected loss and allaying fears that the company was on the verge of collapse.

14.   But Monday, GE surprised analysts by making a bid for Outlet Communications, the owner of two NBC affiliates.

15.   But then, maybe truly good managements never surprise analysts.

16.   But what surprised analysts was a jump in the value of investments Goldman has made in other companies.

17.   California-based Safeway Inc. has surprised analysts with its strong earnings for the past eight quarters.

18.   Chrysler Corp. helped to bolster optimism about third-quarter earnings when it surprised industry analysts with a profits report that exceeded expectations.

19.   Few analysts were surprised by the warning.

20.   Ford also surprised analysts with the speed of its turnaround in North America.