Then profits vanished, and the stock tanked this summer.

If costs turn out to be higher than expected, previously recorded profits can vanish.

Those profits would vanish within months or even days.

Gillette's profits have nearly vanished in Brazil and the company is considering quitting that market.

But for an important bookkeeping change, the company's profits in its most recent fiscal year would have vanished.

By 1994, revenues had tripled, but profits had vanished, and the company lost $25 million.

Building construction was halted, wages were cut, real estate values fell and corporate profits vanished.

Similarly, reported profits from 2000 and 2001 would have vanished.

In fact, they have recently been much lower, and profits have vanished.

Unfortunately, as short-term interest rates rose, the profit vanished.