81.   A report showing weak manufacturing conditions in January signaled that earnings may be sluggish in the first three months of the year.

82.   A stronger U.S. currency means overseas earnings are worth less when converted into dollars.

83.   A. I think earnings are just fine.

84.   A. The biggest positive surprise to the market was how good corporate earnings have been.

85.   A tenured professor, whose earnings are as consistent as the income from a high-grade bond, can afford to be largely in growth stocks.

86.   A stronger dollar benefits exporters because their earnings abroad are worth more when converted back into the local currency.

87.   A. One of the unsung stories of this market is that earnings will be strong in lots of other sectors.

88.   A. People forget just how sensitive earnings are to the commodity price.

89.   Acindar Industria Argentinas de Aceros SA led the decliners amid investor concern that fourth-quarter earnings will be lower than expected.

90.   Addressing its outlook, Philips said it expects an improvement in the second half but underlined that the full-year earnings will be below those for last year.