GENERAL Electric (GE) posted an 80% rise in first-quarter profit, helped by a strong recovery in its finance arm, that topped Wall Street expectations.

US stocks made a modest advance today as strong earnings from Yahoo Inc. and United Technologies Corp helped investors briefly set aside worries over inflation and rising oil prices.

UNITED Technologies Corp, the maker of Carrier air conditioners and Otis elevators, is in talks to buy Chubb Plc, the world's third-largest provider of security services, people familiar with the situation said.