Conti earnings, sales improve

HANOVER, Germany (May 10)—Continental A.G.´s first-quarter earnings jumped 17 percent on 14-percent higher sales, the company reported, as all business units reported improvements over the 1999 period. Net earnings rose to $55.3 million while global sales increased to $2.39 billion, Conti reported. Continental General Tire in North America reported a 7-percent rise in sales, to $402 million, but suffered a 31.8-percent drop in operating earnings, as the company was unable to compensate for higher raw materials costs.