51.   Financial services issues, which include banks, rose as investors anticipated a period of low inflation and strong corporate profits.

52.   For now, investors are questioning if Hong Kong banks could sustain strong profit growth as they face rising competition in Hong Kong this year.

53.   For the rest of this year, the bank plans to reduce staff, increase long-term loans to less-risky clients and maintain strong profits, officials said.

54.   GAINS SEEN IN BIG OIL EARNINGS Big oil companies are generally expected to report strong first- quarter earnings, because of strong refining profits.

55.   GIFTS Workers can expect more holiday gifts from the boss this year, thanks to a combination of strong corporate profits and tight labor markets.

56.   General Motors Corp. and Intel Corp. led the broad market higher after reporting surprisingly strong profit.

57.   Gains in Dell Computer Corp. showed shareholders are still willing to reward companies with unexpectedly strong profits.

58.   Having cut their costs over the past few years, American companies can earn strong profits in that environment, say money managers.

59.   He also predicts strong profits across the entire broadband semiconductor industry.

60.   He also posted strong profits from telecommunications companies that are competing with the old-line telephone companies.