But earnings benefited from a lower effective tax rate and from gains in foreign transactions, the company said.

The company said earnings benefited from a strong performance in international office equipment as well as in domestic financial services.

The soaring revenues, profits and per-share earnings will also benefit New York.

Citigroup's earnings benefited from continued strength in its consumer business, where operating income rose 26 percent, to $2.4 billion.

Next came several controversies, including questions raised over whether the company's earnings might have benefited from questionable accounting.

Analysts said the company's earnings had benefited somewhat from a cost-cutting program.

Their earnings benefited from record oil prices as well as very high production growth.

Texaco said that its first-quarter earnings would benefit by $488 million as a result of the Court's decision not to review the ruling.

"Going forward, we anticipate sales and earnings in future years will benefit significantly from the expansion and acceleration of this program."

Sales were up across the board, reflecting improved consumer spending, and earnings benefited from strict cost controls imposed during the recession.