1.   Both companies reported strong financial results for their most recent quarter.

2.   Results in the most recent quarter were two cents below the consensus from analysts surveyed by First Call.

3.   The bank has been trying to write off huge losses from its CornerStone credit card over several recent quarters.

4.   Already Xilinx Inc. and National Semiconductor Corp. reported lower-than-expected earnings for their most recent quarters.

5.   Although it is expected to report a loss for its most recent quarter the loss will include a one-time charge related to changes in accounting rules.

6.   AMERICA ONLINE BACK TO A PROFIT America Online surprised analysts, returning to profitability in the most recent quarter.

7.   Analysts said that improvement --even slight -- is important because recent quarters have shown no improvement, in part because of declining productivity of new stores.

8.   Analysts say the company has been restructured well, posting strong earnings in some recent quarters.

9.   Analysts and investors said they believe the announcement will focus on an earnings shortfall because the company in recent quarters managed to meet estimates only through one-time events.

10.   And per-share earnings for the most recent quarter rose because the company aggressively bought its own shares during the quarter.