Lear’s profits jump

Automotive interior parts maker Lear Corp. announced a 35% increase in its quarterly profit, compared to a year earlier. The rise in profit was due to higher sales, improved operating efficiencies and lower expenses, according to the company.
Lear’s first quarter income rose to $91.4 million, or $1.30 a share, from $67.9 million, or $1.01 a share a year earlier. The company said sales in the first quarter climbed to $4.49 billion from $3.9 billion a year earlier.