US photographic products group Eastman Kodak, which is opening a CD-ROM plant in Youghal, has said its first quarter profits rose about 4 per cent, to $274 million (£177 million) from $262 million a year ago, and announced a programme to buy back $2 billion worth of its stock. The first quarter showed stronger sales worldwide and in most of the New York based company's businesses, Kodak said.