On an operating level, the company had improved results.

"I really don't think at the operating level the companies are that different when it gets right down to it."

The group claims to have made record profits - albeit at the operating level.

At one point, its temperature reached over 3,000 fahrenheit, five times the normal operating level.

This is their normal operating level, why be shocked?

"I want to see the company prove itself" at the operating level, he said.

This was a company that was solid at the operating level, whatever the problems in the executive suite.

- much higher break even point, and therefore the proposal is riskier than previous operating level.

"At the operating level it has been run by smart retailers."

The increase was the sixth in eight months, and the operating level was the highest since March 1980, when the rate hit 83.7 percent.