Starbucks profit rises on strength in U.S.

Starbucks Corp reported higher quarterly profit on Thursday, after customers in the United States, its top market, spent more than expected during the economically turbulent winter holiday season.

The world's biggest coffee chain reported net earnings of $432.2 million, or 57 cents per share, for the fiscal first quarter that ended December 30. That was up from $382.1 million, or 50 cents per share, a year earlier.

(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)