Ford actually profitable

DETROIT. Ford Motor Co. posted its first full-year profit since 2005 Thursday and said it expects to stay profitable in 2010 despite a still fragile economy and a debt heavy balance sheet.

Ford posted a profit of $2.7 billion in 2009 and a fourth-quarter profit that soundly beat Wall Street forecasts, supported by a strong return from its financing arm and operating profits in its global automotive operations.

But analysts cautioned that much of the quarterly beat came from volatile financing arm results and Ford would take actions this year to address its heavy debt load that ultimately could prove dilutive to its stock.