Tiffany shines in the first quarter

NEW YORK - Tiffany & Co. (TIF) is reporting a 50 percent spike in first-quarter earnings as worldwide sales jumped by double digits and the company boosted prices.

Tiffany beat expectations and raised its earnings guidance for the year, sending shares up more than 5 percent before the opening bell Wednesday.

The jeweler known for its iconic turquoise gift boxes says net income rose to $125.6 million, or 97 cents per share. That's way better than the 78 cents per share Wall Street was looking for and up from $83.6 million, or 65 cents per share, last year.

Revenue climbed 13 percent to $1.01 billion, also topping estimates.

Tiffany now expects full-year net income of $4.15 to $4.25 per share, up from $4.05 to $4.15 per share previously. Analysts expect $4.19 per share.