Ford earnings down on weakness in Europe

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co reported a lower quarterly profit on Friday hurt by weak international results, particularly in Europe, and a higher tax rate. The second-largest U.S. automaker reported first-quarter net income of $1.4 billion or 35 cents per share, down from the $2.6 billion net income it reported a year earlier. About half that drop was due to higher tax expenses, Ford said. The company also recorded $255 million in special charges, largely due to buyouts of workers represented by the United Auto Workers union. ...