1.   While weak earnings forecasts caused many stocks to fall sharply, unexpectedly strong outlooks or actual earnings were rewarded.

2.   Also, warnings of weak earnings usually come out first, and are soon followed by reports from companies that performed unexpectedly well.

3.   Among the companies that announced weak earnings Thursday were Xerox, Browning-Ferris and Philips Electronics.

4.   Analyst Daniel Sarp said banks will suffer from weak earnings and bad loans.

5.   Analysts doubt whether those second-half improvements will be able to offset the weak earnings performance in the first six months.

6.   Analysts were not surprised by the weak earnings forecast and said that Superior has lots of company.

7.   Argentine shares fell for the first time this week, led by footwear and apparel producer Alpargatas SA, after the U.S. market slipped on weak earnings reports.

8.   A continued slow economic recovery and weak corporate earnings could shoot down any aggressive marketing plans, however.

9.   A slow economy and competitive pricing were blamed for the weak earnings.

10.   But sagging oil prices hurt a range of oil-related companies, and a weak corporate earnings report helped to push technology shares lower.