Quarterly profits rise - at some firms

The largest public companies on the Gulf Coast reported a lot of profit in the first quarter, $660 million. But that was more than a 12% drop from the first quarter of 2014.

Companies such as Tech Data Corp. in Clearwater and St. Petersburg-based Raymond James Financial posted respectable gains, with Tech Data improving 280% over last year. And Lakewood Ranch-based Roper Industries posted the largest quarterly profit in the region, at $155.8 million.

Roper has been consistent, finishing the first quarter in 2014 with $147.2 million, second only to the $188.3 million profit Jabil Circuit Inc. of St. Petersburg posted. But Jabil fell nearly 62% this year, to $72.2 million.

Jabil wasn't alone when it came to profit slides. Fort Myers-based women's retailer Chico's FAS was among the top 10 in profits with $32.5 million, but that's 18.5% lower than the $39.9 million it netted last year.