Austal increased profits

MOBILE, Ala. - Austal Ltd.'s Mobile shipyard increased its profit in the second half of 2009 compared with the previous year, despite an overall drop in both profit and revenue for the Australian company, according to a recent earnings report. The company's Mobile facility, which is producing joint high speed vessels and littoral combat ships for the U.S. Navy, employs about 1,000 people and is expected to hire another 400 this year. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 02/24/10)