Earnings roundup: ConocoPhillips, Whirlpool

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, April 24, from AP Financial News:

Top stories:

HOUSTON (AP) _ ConocoPhillips, the third-largest U.S. oil company, said Thursday its first quarter profit rose almost 17 percent as record high oil prices offset disruptions that hurt earnings from its refining operations.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) _ Whirlpool Corp. on Thursday reported a nearly 20 percent drop in first-quarter net income, citing high material costs and seven consecutive quarters of lower U.S. product demand.

ATLANTA (AP) _ Consumer products maker Newell Rubbermaid Inc. reported Thursday a 15 percent increase in first-quarter profit on a modest rise in sales.

Other stories:

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) _ Brunswick Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter profit plunged 71 percent, weighed down by weaker demand for boats and related products, as well as restructuring and other charges.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. (AP) _ Harmonic Inc., a provider of broadcast and on-demand video delivery systems, said late Wednesday that its first-quarter profit increased more than tenfold, boosted by strong international sales and continued demand from domestic cable and satellite customers.

CHARLOTTE, Mich. (AP) _ Spartan Motors Inc.'s profit more than doubled in the first quarter as the vehicle manufacturer countered a struggling motorhome market by selling more vehicles to the military, the company said Thursday.