Dresser-Rand first quarter profit climbs

NEW YORK, May 2 (Reuters) - Dresser-Rand Group Inc. (DRC.N) said Wednesday that its first quarter profit rose, amid strong demand for its equipment, which is used in the production of oil and gas.

The manufacturer reported a quarterly profit of $15.4 million, or 18 cents a share, compared with $12.3 million, or 14 cents a share, a year earlier.

Analysts, on average, had forecast a profit of 18 cents a share, according to Reuters Estimates.