The Government often taxes products in order to control consumption and raise revenues to offset the consequences of that consumption.

"But the big question mark is whether the extra revenue will offset a decline in margins."

Over the last decade, many have set up or expanded operations abroad, and now their new foreign revenues offset the decline in the dollar.

And revenues from Vencor's efforts to build a low-cost, full-service nursing home business will more than offset the loss, he added.

That would simultaneously generate revenues to offset the cost of added direct subsidies to the poor.

This revenue would offset profits from sales by the other companies, allowing them to take out hard-currency profits.

Lower revenue from trading and funds management offset an increase in investment banking and other fees.

Such outside revenues, Keener said, offset the need to raise membership fees.

Republic said second-quarter earnings beat expectations as higher revenue from loans and other investments offset lower fees.

But she added that the revenue from higher fares would more than offset that lost from lower traffic.