THE EARNINGS: Xerox Corp.'s second-quarter profit fell 19 percent, but matched Wall Street's forecast, as restructuring charges weighed on the office-equipment maker. The Norwalk, Conn.-based company's cash-cow supplies and services business hummed along smoothly. Sales of $4.53 billion, an 8 percent improvement, also were in line with analyst expectations.

THE STOCK: Shares fell more than 4 percent Thursday on signs economic turbulence caused large corporations to curtail spending, pressuring Xerox's profit margins. Investors were concerned that sales growth for new equipment slowed more sharply than expected in the April-June period.

THE GUIDANCE: Xerox reaffirmed its full-year 2008 profit guidance of $1.26 per share to $1.30 per share. Executives said they remain committed to that target despite threats to its profit margin in the coming quarters.