But the unit did manage a sequential volume uptick of nearly 3 Million units, to 19.6 Million units.

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Regardless, its chicken unit swung back into profitability, on a sequential basis, while pork products remained strong.

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Look behind the numbers: In the fourth quarter of calendar 1998, Dell's sequential growth, or the percentage increase in unit sales from the third quarter, was 12.6%, according to market-research firm International Data Corp.

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