That's especially true in the U.S., where healthcare systems often face profit pressures.
It's been the case so far that companies that report results tend to face profit-taking as stocks had gained sharply by already factoring in solid figures," said Yutaka Miura, a senior technical analyst at Mizuho Securities.
With Intel controlling 80 percent of the PC market at times, and PC makers facing low profit margins, any supply interruption from Intel could be disastrous.
Microsoft underscored that concern when it warned last week that it is facing both profit and sales erosion in the quarter that will end on Dec. 31.
All three of the existing networks are facing declining profit margins, well-publicized cutbacks and what some observers say is a permanent restructuring of the TV industry.
Presently, pharmacies are facing decreasing profit margins, with new remuneration models that are mostly strangling the smaller pharmacies.
But Mr. Loiseau, 52, was also facing falling profits and exhaustion, his associates say.
Assistant Professor Jenny Ifft weighs in on New York State's agricultural economy, which is facing low profits and big risks.
For its part, G.M. is facing slim profits, stiff overseas competition and industry sales beginning to slump.
The steadily rising number of claims -- especially involving something as intimidating as asbestos -- comes at a difficult time for the Big Three, which are already facing slight profits, sales dependent on costly incentives, hefty pension liabilities and falling credit ratings.
