Ford’s net falls on strong dollar, low sales

DEARBORN, MICH. » Ford’s net income fell in the first quarter, hurt by lower sales of key vehicles like the F-150 pickup and a stronger U.S. dollar. But the Dearborn automaker says the picture should improve as the year progresses, and it’s still aiming for a full-year pretax profit of $8.5 to $9.5 billion, up from $6.3 billion in 2014.

Its net income fell 6.6 percent to $924 million in the January-March period. Revenue fell by 5 percent, or $2 billion, to $33.9 billion.

Overseas growth boosts GoPro’s sales

GoPro Inc. beat analysts’ estimates for first-quarter revenue and profit, spurred in part by overseas sales that rose to account for about half of the company’s revenue.

GoPro, the leading maker of action cameras used to shoot first-person video, posted profit that nearly doubled to $16.8 million, or 24 cents a share, excluding certain costs, the company said Tuesday. Analysts on average were projecting 18 cents. Revenue was $363.1 million compared with the average estimate of $341.1 million.

The improved international sales may show GoPro’s popularity isn’t confined to skiers and other extreme sports enthusiasts in the U.S., said Tavis McCourt, an analyst with Raymond James & Associates Inc.

GoPro also announced the acquisition of Kolor, a startup that makes software for patching together photos to create 360-degree panoramas or videos.

UPS profit up 14% to more than $1 billion

DALLAS » UPS boosted first-quarter earnings by 14 percent as things like charging more for bulky but lightweight boxes helped increase U.S. revenue.

The domestic growth offset international revenue that was hurt because sales were less valuable when converted into the strong U.S. dollar.

The $1.03 billion profit beat Wall Street forecasts, although revenue was less than expected.

United Parcel Service Inc. said Tuesday that its net income equaled $1.12 a share and compared with profit of $911 million, or 98 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue rose 1 percent to $13.98 billion.

Home prices’ rise accelerated in February

WASHINGTON » U.S. home prices climbed at a faster pace in February than the previous month, driven by higher sales and a limited supply of available houses.

The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index rose 5 percent in February from 12 months earlier, S&P said Tuesday. That is up from a 4.5 percent pace in January.

Faster sales likely drove the price gain. Signed contracts to buy homes jumped in February, yet the number of Americans listing their homes for sale remains low. That has led to bidding wars in some cities.

Americans’ consumer confidence slides

WASHINGTON » U.S. consumer confidence fell this month to the lowest level in four months, knocked down by a slowdown in hiring. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell to 95.2 in April from 101.4 in March, the lowest reading since December’s 93.1.

Consumers’ assessment of current economic conditions fell for the third straight month, and their expectations for the future fell as well.

ON THE MOVE

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort has hired Jason Sliman as the resort’s new director of banquets. He has more than 20 years in the hotel and food and beverage industries and was previously director of banquets at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas.

Servco Toyota Hono­lulu has hired Anthony Trinh as an assistant service manager at its dealership in Mapuna­puna. He was previously a district service manager of Sears Holding Co.