But at a time when the economy is in a deep recession and corporate profits are tumbling, few companies meet this standard.

Second-quarter profits tumbled, and by year's end there were losses of nearly $400 million.

Mitsui's pre-tax profit tumbled 79 percent from a year earlier to 1.6 billion yen.

Pre-tax profits tumbled to £44.8m from £70m in 1991 as the group had to pay exceptional redundancy and related costs of £9.2m.

Corporate profits are tumbling and economists generally expect overall economic growth of 1 percent or less this year.

But, as profits tumble during the recession, so do contributions.

Despite slashing costs, profits have tumbled at most concerns.

The company's profits tumbled by 90.2 percent in the period that ended on March 31, from $256.4 million, or $2.05 a share, a year earlier.

Nonetheless, the economy is expected to shrink this year and corporate profits are tumbling.

In 2000 and 2001, profits tumbled and share prices fell.