31.   Lucent, which is completing a restructuring of its inventory system, is expected to begin increasing its orders in the coming quarter, he added.

32.   MBA officials said they expected the delinquency rate to continue to fall in the coming quarters.

33.   Microsoft is set to deliver two highly anticipated products to customers during the coming quarter.

34.   Microsoft has said Windows NT, which manages information on computer networks, will be more important in coming quarters.

35.   National Semiconductor lost one-third of its market value after it said profits might fall in coming quarters.

36.   News of the job reductions came during a conference call with analysts on Monday where the company reported weak earnings and lowered expectations for the coming quarter.

37.   Of the companies surveyed, manufacturers will show the strongest appetite for new workers in the coming quarter, Manpower said.

38.   Signs of strength in copper and lumber prices this coming quarter could signal continued growth for the construction industry and could also indicate that U.S. economic growth will accelerate.

39.   Shares of oil exploration and oilfield service companies fell as declining oil and natural gas prices suggested industry profits will drop in coming quarters.

40.   Small companies and computer stocks offer the best prospects for earnings growth in coming quarters, investors said.