Primerica Corp. said first-quarter profit from operations...

Primerica Corp. said first-quarter profit from operations rose 17%, reflecting higher earnings in its Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co. brokerage unit and in its consumer finance and insurance businesses. Primerica said net income, including one-time gains and charges, declined about 1% to $190.3 million, or $1.09 a share, from $192.1 million, or $1.13, a year ago. The latest first-quarter results include $22.7 million of gains from its portfolio, the sale of its remaining shares in Fingerhut Cos. and Primerica’s portion of Travelers Corp.’s portfolio gains. It owns a 27% stake in Travelers.