51.   A strong yen hurts earnings at electronics and other exporters by cutting the value of dollar-denominated revenue and pressuring them to raise prices overseas.

52.   A stronger pound hurts earnings abroad when they are translated into pounds.

53.   A weaker dollar can hurt earnings for Japanese exporters by making Japanese products more expensive overseas.

54.   A weaker currency makes it harder for companies to pay for imported raw materials and dollar debts, hurting their earnings.

55.   Acquiring Pure Atria, which said first-quarter profit will lag expectations, would hurt earnings and could bring problems in melding the two companies, analysts said.

56.   Additionally, many companies have warned ailing Asian economies will hurt earnings in the new year, including computer manufacturer International Business Machines Corp.

57.   Also, higher interest rates might discourage bank customers from repaying their overdue loans or arranging new credit, something sure to hurt earnings.

58.   Brazil stocks fell, rocked by renewed worries the country will be forced to devalue its currency this year and that tighter credit will hurt earnings.

59.   Brokerage shares fell on concern declines in trading volumes could hurt earnings by trimming profits made on transaction commissions.

60.   Brokerage shares weakened, reflecting lower trading volumes which threaten to hurt earnings by trimming profits made on transaction commissions.