1.   Analysts and investors were optimistic that earnings will improve after Westinghouse sheds the industrial units in the third quarter to focus on its growing media empire.

2.   Analysts said the continuation of second-quarter earnings warnings has begun to dampen the optimism that had been building that earnings would improve beginning in the fourth quarter.

3.   And if earnings improve, that could help.

4.   And supporters of the new law argue that earnings will improve with time.

5.   Bank earnings usually improve when rates are lower because it means paying depositors less for their money.

6.   Brazil stocks rose this week amid speculation earnings will improve at state-controlled telecommunications companies and utilities.

7.   But CNF has cut costs and improved service, she said, and its earnings should improve as economic activity picks up abroad.

8.   Corporate earnings have progressively improved as January has worn on.

9.   Earnings improved after the steelmaker reduced costs and upgraded equipment.

10.   Earnings from detergents improved, Unilever said, thanks to lower costs.