improve.01
frames- Armstrong , which *T*-127 has faced a takeover threat from the Belzberg family of Canada since July , said that [ARG0 * disposing of the carpet business] [ARGM-MOD would] [rel improve] `` [ARG1 total financial performance] . ''
- [ARG0 The manufacturers] said 0 14.2 % of their spending is designed *-1 to [rel improve] [ARG1 products] or add new ones , 17.5 % is * to cut costs , 12.5 % is for research and development , and the rest is for maintenance and other purposes .
- [ARG0 The move] rewards shareholders and [ARGM-MOD should] [rel improve] [ARG1 the stock 's liquidity] , Oneida said 0 *T*-1 .
- Spiegel said 0 [ARG1 margins] [rel improved] [ARGM-CAU because its inventory position *PPA*-1 this year did n't need the costly markdowns required * * to trim last year 's swollen levels] .
- [ARGM-DIS Indeed] , the DLJ banker says 0 *T*-1 , [ARGM-LOC in the reborn capital structure] [ARG1 cash coverage of interest] `` [ARGM-MOD will] [ARGM-MNR meaningfully] [rel improve] . ''
- Recent surveys by Leo J. Shapiro & Associates , a market research firm in Chicago , suggest that Sears is having a tough time *-1 attracting shoppers because [ARG0 it] has n't yet done enough * to [rel improve] [ARG1 service or its selection of merchandise] .
- Manville Corp. said 0 it offered *-1 to buy $ 500 million *U* of its convertible preferred stock from the Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust in [ARG0 a move] that *T*-2 [ARGM-MOD would] [rel improve] [ARG1 the trust 's liquidity] and reduce the potential number of Manville shares outstanding .
- Manville said 0 [ARG0 it] made the offer within the past several weeks as part of an effort * to [rel improve] [ARG1 shareholder value] .
- [ARG1 Overseas exploration and production results] [ARGM-DIS also] [rel improved] [ARGM-CAU because of additional output from the North Sea Magnus Field , a portion of which *T*-2 was acquired *-1 by Sun earlier this year] .
- [ARG1 Texaco 's exploration and production earnings] [rel improved] [ARGM-CAU as a result of its streamlining of those operations as it sold many of its marginal producing properties over the past 18 months] .
- [ARGM-ADV Though the bank is n't performing as well as some of its competitors in the lucrative California market] , [ARG1 its condition] has [rel improved] [ARGM-TMP since Mr. Decker took over] .
- Mr. Bryant and other analysts hope 0 all those moves will combine *-1 to help [ARG1 Tandy 's results] [rel improve] [ARGM-TMP in the important Christmas quarter] .
- Analysts expect [ARG1 Federal 's earnings] to [rel improve] [ARGM-TMP again] [ARGM-TMP in its fiscal third quarter ending Feb. 28 , when the company should begin *-2 benefiting from Tiger 's extra flights , back-up planes and landing rights *T*-1] .
- Mr. Stein said 0 tighter operating controls have enabled [ARG0 Ekco] to reduce inventory levels 25 % to 30 % *U* ; [rel improve] [ARG1 on-time delivery of orders] to [ARG4-to about 95 %] from [ARG3-from around 70 %] ; and to lower the number of labor hours required * *-1 to produce a unit .
- Hospitals companies , meanwhile , are reporting [rel improved] [ARG1 earnings] .
- DEC said 0 [ARG1 its overseas business , which *T*-1 now accounts for more than half of sales ,] [rel improved] [ARGM-TMP in the quarter] .
- `` [ARG0 We] 've done a lot *-2 to [rel improve] [ARG1 -LRB- U.S. . -RRB- results] and a lot more will be done *-1 , '' Mr. Mark said .
- An added feature is that the [ARGM-EXT slighty] [rel improved] [ARG1 return] would be guaranteed *-1 by Prudential .
- The company said that [rel improved] [ARG1 results] in its financial-services sector were negated *-1 by increased costs in its government contract business , lower operating earnings in its commercial-products sector and soft automotive markets .
- However , he noted that steel mill bookings are up from early summer levels , and that he expects [ARG0 the company] to [rel improve] [ARG1 its cost performance] [ARGM-TMP in the fourth quarter] .
- But while [ARG1 the overall market] [rel improved] , the new-issue junk-bond market continued *-1 to count casualties , even as junk-bond prices rose .
- And [ARG0 Donaldson , Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.] scrambled *-3 to restructure and [rel improve] [ARG1 the potential returns on a $ 475 million *U* debenture offering by Chicago & North Western Acquisition Corp. that *T*-2 was still being negotiated *-1 late last night] .
- `` I may want *-1 to offer [ARG0 additional amendments] 0 *T*-2 to [rel improve] [ARG1 it] when the bill comes to the floor *T*-3 , '' said *T*-4 Sen. David Boren -LRB- D. , Okla. -RRB- , a leader of those Democrats .
- Westmoreland Coal Co. , *-1 realizing benefits of a sustained effort * to cut costs and boost productivity , reported [ARGM-EXT sharply] [rel improved] [ARG1 third-quarter] results .
- `` [ARG0 We] have *-1 to keep *-2 working at *-3 [rel improving] [ARG1 our core business] *-1 to stay efficient .
- He predicted 0 [ARG1 the debt ratio] [ARGM-MOD will] [rel improve] [ARGM-EXT further] [ARGM-TMP in coming quarters] .
- Microsoft 's surge followed a report this week of [ARGM-EXT substantially] [rel improved] [ARG1 earnings] for its first quarter , ended Sept. 30 .
- Rick Sherlund , a Goldman Sachs analyst , has raised his earnings estimates for the company twice in the past two weeks , *-1 citing [rel improved] [ARG1 margins] .
- Corporate lobbyist Charls Walker is planning a spring conference 0 * to discuss [ARG0 what tax changes] * to make *T*-1 * to [rel improve] `` [ARG1 competitiveness] *T*-2 . ''
- Hasbro Inc. , the nation 's largest toy maker , reported 0 third-quarter earnings increased 73 % from a year earlier on a 9.4 % sales gain , * reflecting [rel improved] [ARG1 margins] .
- Paul Fireman , Reebok chairman and chief executive officer , said , `` Our gains in earnings provide further evidence that [ARG0 the controls 0 we have put *T*-1 in place and our sales mix] are continuing *-2 to [rel improve] [ARG1 the company 's overall profit performance] . ''
- The company said 0 it expects [ARG1 sales] to [rel improve] [ARGM-CAU due to a number of new products , including a `` pump '' basketball shoe that *T*-2 can be inflated *-1 *-3 to better fit the foot] .
- Mr. Smith and a spokesman for the America 's Cup Organizing Committee insist that [ARG0 the added competition for the defender 's spot] [ARGM-MOD will] [ARGM-ADV only] [rel improve] [ARG1 the race] .
- `` * Putting it all together , we have a negative scenario that *T*-1 does n't look like [ARG1 it] [ARGM-MOD will] [rel improve] [ARGM-TMP overnight] , '' he said *T*-2 .
- Mercury , which *T*-2 has assets of more than $ 2 billion *U* and 24 branches in California , said 0 the [ARG0 action] * to [rel improve] [ARG1 its regulatory capital position] is related *-1 directly to new capital requirements mandated * by recently adopted federal legislation .
- [ARGM-ADV For the first time in nearly two years] , [ARG1 BankAmerica results] failed *-1 to [rel improve] [ARGM-TMP in consecutive quarters] , but the decline from the second quarter was attributable to special factors .
- This sort of [rel improved] [ARG1 link] figures *-1 to eventually become a significant weapon for some companies .
- The company said 0 the [rel improved] [ARG1 performance] from a year ago reflects higher commissions and revenue from marketmaking and trading for its own account .
- British Airways PLC said 0 it is seeking [rel improved] [ARG1 terms] and a sharply lower price in any revised bid for United Airlines parent UAL Corp. following the collapse of a $ 6.79 billion *U* , $ 300-a-share *U* buy-out bid .
- `` Utilization management needs *-1 to better demonstrate that [ARG0 it] reduces the wasteful use of resources , [rel improves] [ARG1 the appropriateness of patient care] and imposes only reasonable burdens on patients and providers , '' the panel concluded *T*-2 .
- The bureau 's report also showed that while [ARG1 some measures of the nation 's economic well-being] [rel improved] [ARGM-MNR modestly] [ARGM-TMP in 1988] , the fruits of prosperity were shared *-1 less equitably than the year before .
- *-1 Summarizing data derived * from a March 1989 survey of 58,000 households , William Butz , associate director of the Census Bureau , said that `` [ARG1 most groups] either stayed the same or [rel improved] . ''
- *-2 Fueling a controversy that *T*-1 has been simmering for years , the Census Bureau also said 0 its figures would look far rosier if it recalculated the poverty threshold *-3 using an [rel improved] [ARG1 consumer-price] measure adopted * in 1983 .
- Four years ago , Pittsburgh was designated *-1 the most-livable U.S. city by Rand McNally 's Places Rated Almanac , and [ARG0 the honor] did wonders *-2 to [rel improve] [ARG1 Pittsburgh 's soot-stained image] .
- This month , HUD Secretary Jack Kemp unveiled a series of [ARG0 proposed reforms] 0 *T*-1 to [rel improve] [ARG1 management at HUD] .
- In Armonk , N.Y. , a spokesman said that although IBM did n't view its spending as necessarily a way 0 * to support the stock *T*-1 , [ARG0 it] thought 0 the purchases were a good way 0 * to [rel improve] [ARG1 such financial measurements as per-share earnings and return on equity] *T*-2 .
- Only recently has it been attractively redesigned *-1 and [ARG1 its editorial product] [rel improved] *-2 .
- As for Sassy , which *T*-1 competes directly with News Corp. 's Seventeen magazine , Mr. Lang says that in the next two years [ARG0 he] will spend $ 6 million *U* *-2 promoting and [rel improving] [ARG1 the magazine] .
- Arkla Inc. said that as part of [ARG0 a program] 0 *T*-1 to [rel improve] [ARG1 profitability] it will take a total of $ 189 million *U* in after-tax charges by year end .
- But that signal on full-year profit casts doubt on whether [ARG0 Dow] [ARGM-MOD will] [rel improve] on [ARG1-on its year-ago fourth-quarter net of $ 3.44 *U* a share , or $ 635 million *U*] .
- The first analyst said that the Japanese , as well as the Chinese , bought copper earlier in the week in London , but that this purchasing has since slackened as [ARG1 the supply situation] , at least over the long term , appears *-1 to have [rel improved] .
- `` Now that [ARG1 the supply situation] seems *-2 to be [rel improving] , it *EXP*-1 would be best for traders to switch their concentration to the demand side . ''
- [ARG0 It] has been trying *-1 to [rel improve] [ARG1 its share of the residential market] .
- We think 0 revenue will continue *-1 to grow and that [ARG0 we] [ARGM-MOD can] control costs and [ARGM-DIS thus] [rel improve] [ARG1 profitability] . ''
- `` [ARG0 We] 've done a lot * to [rel improve] [ARG1 -LCB- U.S. . -RCB- results] , and a lot more will be done *-1 , '' Mr. Mark said *T*-2 .
- `` [ARG0 *] [rel Improving] [ARG1 profitability of U.S. operations] is an extremely high priority in the company . ''
- New Environmentalism is an emotional attack on proven methods of [ARG0 *] [rel improving] [ARG1 our quality of life] and a bid for political power .
- [ARG0 The process] dramatically increased our average life expectancy , eliminated much pain and [ARGM-MNR constantly] [rel improved] [ARG1 health and well-being] .
- My statement , read verbatim from a printed text available to all reporters attending the National Cancer Institute news conference , was the following : `` [ARG0 New clinical trials] are already in operation *-1 seeking * to [rel improve] [ARG1 these results] .
- [ARG0 These groups] have been trying *-2 to [rel improve] [ARG1 the mountain biker 's image] ; in the San Francisco-area park district where a ranger was clobbered *-1 by a cyclist this summer *T*-3 bikers have formed a volunteer patrol 0 *T*-4 to help rangers enforce regulations , and to school riders in proper trail etiquette .
- Some competing forest-products firms have recently reported [rel improved] [ARG1 results] due to strong pulp and paper business .
- [ARG1 The net interest margin - the difference between the bank 's cost of funds and what it receives *T*-1 as interest payments --] [rel improved] [ARGM-TMP in the quarter] , [ARGM-ADV as did certain areas of wholesale banking] .
- The rating agency said 0 it is focusing especially on [ARG0 the transportation service company 's] efforts * to control costs , [rel improve] [ARG1 margins] and enhance its competitive position in its primary business , vehicle leasing and rental .
- Amex issues with big percentage price gains included two Eastern Air Lines preferred stocks , * reacting to the news about [rel improved] [ARG1 recovery] in flight schedules after the company filed for bankruptcy protection .
- Rep. Hamilton said 0 [ARG0 the purpose of the meetings] would be * to `` [rel improve] [ARG1 communications and perhaps coordination between the executive branch and the Fed] . ''
- It was the first time in seven years that Moscow has n't joined efforts , led * by Moslem nations , 0 *T*-1 to expel Israel from the world body , and was viewed *-2 as a sign of [rel improving] [ARG1 Soviet-Israeli] ties .
- The exchanges contend that [ARG0 dual trading] [rel improves] [ARG1 liquidity in the markets] [ARGM-CAU because traders can buy or sell even when they do n't have a customer order in hand *T*-1] .
- Despite continuing troubles with problem properties and nonperforming loans , the Dallas trust said 0 it has rebuilt reserves , abandoned properties with little potential and experienced [rel improved] [ARG1 operating] results from joint ventures .
- In the year ended Jan. 31 , Pace rang up profit of $ 9.4 million *U* , or 72 cents a share , after a tax-loss carry-forward , on sales of $ 1.3 billion *U* , and analysts expect [ARG1 its results] to continue *-1 to [rel improve] .
- The Sacramento , Calif. , company also attributed [rel improved] [ARG1 performance] to a lower effective tax rate and higher interest income .
- Herbert M. Sandler , chairman and chief executive officer of the Oakland , Calif. , savings-and-loan holding company , credited [ARG0 the high number of loans added * to the company 's portfolio over the last 12 months] for *-1 broadening its earning asset base and [rel improving] [ARG1 profit performance] .
- `` Times Co. 's regional daily newspapers are holding up well , but there is little sign that [ARG1 things] [ARGM-MOD will] [rel improve] in the New York market , '' said *T*-1 Alan Kassan , an analyst with Shearson Lehman Hutton .
- [ARG0 The program] is aimed *-1 at * [rel improving] [ARG1 the quality of printed material] .
- But the reverse is also true : When a region 's economy rebounds from a slowdown *T*-1 , these real-estate indicators will rebound far faster than the [rel improving] [ARG1 economy] .
- The industry regards last year and this year as a period of recovery that *T*-1 will lead to [rel improved] [ARG1 results] .