Stock prices represent the discounted present value of a company's future earnings stream.

When the global economy sputtered last year, drug stocks were favorites because of their steady earnings streams.

And a steady earnings stream is what you need to make debt payments.

Thus, Japanese company stocks are expensive, relative to their earnings stream.

It brings "a good recurring earnings stream and a high return on equity business."

More established stocks, with steady earnings streams, become more attractive in uncertain times.

Over time, the earnings streams on bonds and stocks have been roughly comparable.

"Well, this is a lottery ticket with an earnings stream attached."

Still others are skeptical about the quality of G.E.'s earnings stream.

"We want some catalyst, like new management or a new product, that flows through into the earnings stream."