He said first-quarter earnings would be down about 50 percent from the 1990 period.

The company yesterday reported a 33 percent increase in first-quarter earnings.

The move involved a special $110 million charge against first-quarter earnings.

First-quarter earnings reported Thursday were about even with the period last year.

Ford reported first-quarter earnings of $506.2 million, down 70 percent from a year ago.

The company reported a 21 percent gain in first-quarter earnings.

It plans to report its first-quarter earnings on April 17.

As a result, the company said it would take a $103 million charge against its first-quarter earnings.

It closed up 3/8, to 58 1/4, after the company reported an 11 percent increase in first-quarter earnings.

That is when the company will release its first-quarter earnings.