DAYTON, Ohio (Map, News) - Cash-machine maker NCR Corp. said Wednesday that its first-quarter earnings increased 41 percent on record sales to banks and retailers and the sale of a manufacturing plant in Canada.

NCR, which also makes checkout scanners for the retail stores and other self-service technology, said it earned $48 million, or 28 cents a share, in the quarter ended March 31, compared with $34 million, or 19 cents a share, for the same period in 2007.

NCR reported revenue of $1.18 billion compared with $992 million in 2007.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 17 cents a share on revenue of $1.06 billion.

Excluding the results of Teradata Corp. and charges, NCR would have earned $49 million, or 28 cents per share, for the quarter compared with a loss of $9 million, or 5 cents loss a share, in 2007. NCR spun off Teradata, which makes data warehousing software, Oct. 1.

NCR increased its outlook for expected 2008 revenue growth from continuing operations from a range of 3 to 5 percent to a range of 5 to 7 percent.

NCR said its revenue for the first quarter increased by 15 percent in the Americas region, driven primarily by sales growth to banks and retailers. Revenue increased 30 percent in the Europe-Middle East-Africa region, and 7 percent in the Asia-Pacific-Japan region.

NCR also posted a $16 million gain from the sale of a Canadian manufacturing plant.

"The new NCR has started 2008 on a positive note, delivering strong revenue growth, margin expansion and much improved cash flow," said Bill Nuti, chairman and chief executive officer.

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