Procter & Gamble's operating profit rose 13.2 percent in the second quarter, helped by sales abroad.

The company also said that earnings rose 70 percent in the second quarter, helped by a strong gain in revenue.

The Equitable Companies reported yesterday that net earnings rose 9 percent in the third quarter, helped by gains from its brokerage and money management divisions.

It rose 15.1 percent for the quarter, helped by a large chunk in the Domini Social Equity fund.

American oil companies did well in the first quarter, helped by fat profits on refining.

Exxon's net income rose 5.4 percent in the fourth quarter, helped by strong sales of chemicals and refined oil products.

The French economy grew 0.4 percent in the first quarter of 2002, helped by spending on manufactured goods, the government statistics office, Insee, reported yesterday.

Microsoft reported yesterday that earnings rose nearly 38 percent in the fourth quarter helped by a tax benefit and strong demand for personal computers.

Companies Chrysler earnings more than doubled in the third quarter, helped by a rebounding car and truck market.

The stock rose 33.6 percent in the quarter, helped by improving earnings and the move into the new markets.