09:44 AM EST - Empire Company Limited : said its first-quarter net earnings rose to $89.7 million or $1.31 per share from $75.7 million or $1.15 per share a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter increased 5% to $3.97 billion from restated $3.78 billion in the prior year period. The company reported a 49.6% decline in funds from operations to $6.6 million compared with the last year, largely as a result of lower operating earnings. Empire Company Limited
shares T.EMP.A are trading up $0.35 at $42.10.
