CORPORATE EARNINGS The Profit Parade With mainframe sales strong, I.B.M. earnings topped forecasts.

Several department store companies met or topped forecasts.

The second-largest chain, Borders Group, modestly topped forecasts.

Excluding costs related to acquisitions, profit rose 15 percent, to 69 cents a share, topping forecasts of 63 cents, while revenue rose 8 percent.

Continental's profit was down 23 percent but topped forecasts.

PMC-Sierra, Gateway and Juniper Networks all reported earnings that topped forecasts and pointed to what might finally stabilize the stock market.

DaimlerChrysler Net Tops Forecasts DaimlerChrysler reported a 14 percent rise in third-quarter adjusted net income to $1.60 a diluted share, topping forecasts of $1.40, but the stock rose only 75 cents to $76.

Excluding one-time charges and gains, Lucent earned 31 cents a share, topping forecasts of 29 cents, sending its stock up smartly.

General Electric Posts 11% Gain General Electric earnings rose 11 percent, topping forecasts, helped by strong profits at the company's finance arm.

The Chrysler Corporation topped forecasts last Thursday when it announced earnings of $1.03 billion, or $1.46 a share.