The reason, financial experts say, is that its earnings for 1994 showed a significant increase in expenses and only a 1 percent rise in profits.

And while yesterday's earnings showed glimmers of good news, they also hinted at trouble brewing.

Ford executives said the earnings showed that the company continued to grow healthily.

Experts who follow the company said they expect second-quarter earnings, due out in two weeks, to show strong results.

Operating earnings for the third quarter showed a decline of 34 percent, to $38.8 million, from $58.8 million in the period last year.

But as Tuesday's earnings showed, consumer response has so far been disappointing at best, the analysts continued.

As a result, the company predicted that second-half earnings "will show little, if any, improvement over the amounts reported for the second half of 1986."

But as its earnings showed, Wal-Mart still faces a challenging business environment.

"Grace has got to drive earnings to show the street that they can be consistent moneymakers."

Mobil's yearly earnings showed a marked improvement over those of the previous year.