21.   A volley of results from US technology heavyweights gave mixed signals over prospects for a recovery in corporate earnings, increasing worries about the upcoming reporting season in Europe.

22.   The recent flurry of corporate results from technology heavyweights has also done little to clear the haze over prospects for a recovery in US corporate earnings.

23.   Most European exchanges lost ground Monday in rising tension over forthcoming earnings reports from some technology heavyweights in Europe and with bad omens abounding from recent US results.

24.   The dip in European markets came despite further gains in US stock prices overnight after technology heavyweight Cisco Systems reported better than expected results late on Tuesday.