KENTZ, the oil and gas industry construction company, said its backlog of work had risen 52% at the end of the third quarter, compared to the second, and predicted continued double-digit earnings per share.

FRENCH stocks climbed, paced by Axa and Technip after the companies reported profits that beat analysts’ estimates.

FRENCH stocks fell yesterday, paced by Total and Technip after oil yesterday posted its biggest decline in more than a month.