09:45 AM EST - Empire Company : the second largest supermarket chain in Canada, reported a strong first quarter in which earnings surged 168% year-over-year to $142.3 million, or $2.16 a share, up from $53.3 million, or $0.81 per share in the comparative first quarter in 2006. Sales growth was 4.1% yoy to $3.52 billion.
shares T.EMP-A are trading up 30 cents at $50.21.
