XTO Energy Shares Rise On Upbeat 1Q Results

NEW YORK (AP) — Shares of oil and gas producer XTO Energy Inc. jumped on Thursday a day after the company said its first-quarter profit climbed 5 percent and topped Wall Street estimates on rising production and lower cash costs.

XTO shares gained 91 cents, or 2.2 percent, to $42.83 in afternoon trading.

Profits through March rose to $486 million, or 83 cents per share, from $465 million, or 92 cents per share, during the same period last year. Earnings per share went down in the 2009 quarter because the company had more shares outstanding. ...