NEW YORK -- Big corporate profits fueled by strong international sales could disappear fast if Europe's economy begins to falter, stripping many multinational companies of a huge source of earnings growth.

NEW YORK -- Treasurys rose slightly Tuesday as concerns about the housing market and corporate profits raised demand for the safety of government securities.

Shares surge after three Dow components post better-than-expected quarterly results. Oil prices hit a new record. Stocks surged Wednesday, sending the Dow Jones industrials up more than 250 points, after better-than-expected earnings reports from three Dow components relieved anxiety about corporate profits and the economy.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks vaulted higher on Wednesday after Intel Corp, JPMorgan Chase & Co and other blue chips reported earnings that reassured investors worried that a weak economy would sap corporate profits.

Retail sales strength takes some of the sting out of Wachovia's earnings report as indexes post moderate losses. Stocks finished a quiet session moderately lower Monday as investors grappled with concerns about the health of corporate profits after Wachovia posted disappointing quarterly results.

NEW YORK -- Stocks finished a quiet session moderately lower Monday as investors grappled with concerns about the health of corporate profits after Wachovia Corp. posted disappointing quarterly results.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were little changed on Monday as rising oil prices stoked fears that corporate profits will suffer, overshadowing optimism the credit crisis is easing on news that Washington Mutual Inc was close to securing a $5 billion investment.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Wednesday as optimism receded about the Federal Reserve's latest initiative to ease credit market strains, while a jump in oil prices to a record above $110 a barrel raised fears of further strains on corporate profits.

U.S. stocks dropped sharply this morning as corporate profits and fear that the economy is heading towards recession undermined the effect of Tuesday's Federal Reserve interest rate cut.