GE profit up 7.5 percent in quarter

General Electric Co reported on Friday a 7.5 percent rise in earnings, reflecting a campaign by the largest U.S. conglomerate to boost its margins as well as higher sales of equipment used in oil and gas production.

The world's biggest maker of jet engines and electric turbines said on Friday that fourth-quarter earnings came to $4.01 billion, or 38 cents per share, compared with profit of $3.73 billion, or 35 cents per share, a year earlier.

(Reporting By Scott Malone)