emerson electric co said sales were up 7 in its fiscal first quarter though foreigncurrency fluctuations and stock compensation headwinds weighed on its adjusted earnings for the three months ended dec 31 the st louisbased technology and engineering company posted a profit of 233 billion or 397 a share compared with 896 million 150 a share in the same quarter a year ago earnings from continuing operations were 56 cents down from 125 a year earlier due in part to a 31 increase in the companys stock price during the first quarter that impacted marktomarket stock compensation plans stripping out onetime items adjusted earnings were 78 cents a share analysts polled by factset had been expecting 87 cents a share sales rose to 337 billion from 316 billion last year but it was below analyst expectations of 343 billion according to factset