1.   A slowdown in the economy stunted earnings last quarter as fewer companies surprised Wall Street will stronger-than-expected results.

2.   IBM said a delay in shipment of power-supply components for the new mainframes, which use new technology called CMOS, will stunt earnings.

3.   The company said the partial shutdown of the federal government, its biggest customer, stunted earnings last quarter.

4.   This has spurred concern in companies worldwide that slower growth in Asia could stunt their earnings.