To offset falling sales, Swann has slashed operating costs.

Some buying also offset earlier sales as traders took profits before the Agriculture Department released its report on the winter wheat harvest.

Growth in the wireless and broadband units offset deteriorating sales in the core consumer and business long-distance operations.

Domestic sales were stagnant with a modest increase in minicar sales offsetting lower sales of small cars.

Some companies are also offsetting poor European sales by expanding abroad, with Japan a favorite destination.

Circulation revenue was up 3.9 percent, as higher prices offset declining sales of newspapers.

Trying to offset slumping sales of wallets, purses and belts during the Depression, he turned to making baseball gloves.

Bank dealers attempt to offset customers' purchases and sales, and cover any resultant currency exposures (long or short) by dealing with other banks.

K Mart said sales of basic merchandise were good, offsetting weak sales in electronics and other big-ticket categories.

To offset sluggish domestic sales, manufacturers began trying to expand in the international marketplace.