The company, whose earnings are suffering as it tries to reduce inventory to more normal levels, could be forced to restate its results.

But while total sales doubled in the past five years, earnings suffered.

Financial and technology companies were especially hurt, reflecting investor fear that their earnings will suffer as a result of decreased demand from Asia.

However, earnings also suffered from a charge of $3.19 a share relating to the acquisition.

As a result, the retailer is likely to show monthly sales gains of 10 to 14 percent, analysts say, but earnings may suffer.

Its earnings have suffered from price cuts and a glut of personal computers.

Utility issues, whose earnings could suffer if interest rates do not fall, were also lower.

Stocks of companies whose earnings would suffer if economic growth slowed fell as expected.

It is the latest technology company to see earnings suffer as the market for chips cools.

For this reason, operating earnings suffered the least after the market crash, the recession and the sluggish growth that has followed.