JPMorgan Chase & Co. reported a 55 percent surge in first-quarter profit, reflecting strength across most of its primary businesses lines, especially investment banking. Still, the report on Wednesday from the nation’s third-largest bank showed some softness in its retail banking and credit card divisions. The bank also said it increased reserves to offset subprime mortgage losses — a step several other major financial institutions have taken. The results were well ahead of Wall Street expectations, and JPMorgan Chase’s shares rose $2.10, or more than 4 percent, to $52.28 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.AP

SHANGHAI, China — Major automakers are pulling out all the stops at the Shanghai Auto Show starting this weekend, highlighting China’s rapid evolution from “bicycle kingdom” into the world’s second-biggest, fastest-growing vehicle market.

The Napa Valley Economic Development Corporation, the Napa County organization dedicated to promoting economic vitality through public-private partnership, announces that it has selected public planning expert Beth Painter as its new executive director.