West Fraser profits soar in Q1

West Fraser Timber Co. this week posted Q1 sales of $3.11-billion, up from $2.038-billion in the previous quarter and $665-million a year earlier. Earnings came to $1.09-billion, or $10.25 per diluted share, up from $334-million ($3.13) in Q4 and 64 percent higher than the previous Q1. The results exceeded an analyst estimate of $9.45 per share earned on $2.93-billion in revenue.