A 40.6% profit gain and an increase...

A 40.6% profit gain and an increase of 10.2% in revenue for the first quarter ended March 31 was reported by Midland, Mich.-based Dow Chemical Co. Volume increases were reported for most products, and the pricing environment continued to improve in response to a better balance between supply and demand worldwide, a spokesman said. Revenue rose while prices were steady to rising in basic chemicals, while the industrial specialties segment had both rising sales and profits, particularly in specialty plastics, he added.