Cliffs Natural Resources reports more than five-fold jump in Q1 profits

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (CLF.N:Quote) reported more than a five-fold increase in first-quarter profit as demand and prices for its iron ore and steel-making coal soared.Net earnings were $423 million, or $3.11 per share, compared with $77 million, or 57 cents per share in the quarter a year earlier. Revenue rose 63 percent to $1.2 billion, the Cleveland-based company said on Thursday.