That will lower its reported earnings for those years substantially.

"This lowers his earnings to $20,000, and it could mean he has to lay off workers or go out of business."

Investors are especially concerned that any new taxes would lower corporate earnings.

Some analysts are lowering their projected earnings for the industry.

He also said the company estimated that the $2.3 billion charge would lower earnings by approximately $2.25 a share in the fourth quarter.

The $140 million charge, taken this month, will lower fourth-quarter earnings by more than half of the $1.05 a share that analysts had expected.

The company said the one-time charge would lower second-quarter earnings by $41 million, or 71 cents a share.

The charge will lower General Electric's earnings by 14 cents after a $500 million tax benefit, the company said.

Analysts said that at the least the continuation of the strike would lower the quarter's earnings for the company, which is based in Seattle.

Opponents of the reform warn that it will drive down stock prices, by lowering companies' annual earnings per share.