05:05 PM EST - National Bank : reported Thursday a record first-quarter profit of $255 million, up 6 percent from a year-earlier $240 million, but net earnings excluding one-time items fell slightly for the period. The Montreal-headquartered bank said its net earnings were $1.58 per share on a diluted basis versus a year-earlier $1.43 per share. National Bank
shares T.NA are trading down 37 cents at $50.73.
