21.   Shareholders said the company should have known by last May that the strength of the mark against the dollar and other currencies would erode earnings.

22.   That followed a month in which shares plunged on concern borrowing costs would erode earnings.

23.   The dispute over the switching fee suggests that dominant companies are trying to impede the full competition that is likely to erode their earnings.

24.   The current financial crisis was partly caused by steep drops in world oil prices that eroded dollar earnings from exports.

25.   The high yen erodes overseas earnings and raises prices of cars sold abroad.

26.   The high yen erodes overseas earnings and is forcing companies to raise the prices on exported models.

27.   The loan restrictions eroded earnings at many Chinese capital goods manufacturers, causing mounting debt and inventory.

28.   The problem is that the heyday of corporate profit growth is over, as increased competition erodes company earnings, analysts said.

29.   The strong pound eroded overseas earnings translated to pounds.

30.   The state-controlled phone company needs to keep its profits growing at a steady clip, yet increasing competition fostered by the government threatens to erode earnings.