Halliburton More Than Doubles Its Profits in Q1

Despite challenges arising from political unrest in the Arab world, Halliburton's net income has more than doubled during the first quarter of 2011. The oil-field services company credits the soaring earnings to an increase in unconventional North American oil and natural-gas drilling; the AP reports that North American revenue jumped 75%, while revenue from international operations was up 11%. The Wall Street Journal notes that high oil prices also helped. Halliburton's first-quarter profit was $511 million, up from $206 million a year prior. (More Halliburton stories.)