Stanley Black & Decker posts Q1 gains

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — Stanley Black & Decker’s earnings grew for the quarter, with high construction demand tempering a volatile greenback, the Wall Street Journal reports. Cost-cutting measures and a gradual U.S. housing recovery contributed to the tool manufacturer’s profit of $162.3 million, an increase from $161.9 million a year earlier. Sales ticked up from $2.62 billion to $2.63 billion, defying expectations of a slight drop.