BUSINESS MEMO: FORD SALES INCREASE

Ford Motor Co. said last week its third-quarter earnings nearly doubled on the strength of its U.S. operations.

Ford earned $686 million, or 57 cents a share, compared with $357 million, or 28 cents a share, for the same period of 1995.

Sales rose 8 percent to $34 billion, compared with $31.4 billion a year ago.

The results include a one-time charge of $39 million for early retirements of some salaried employees in the United States, and a $76 million gain for the sale of Ford's USL Capital subsidiary, for a net gain of $37 million.

Gains in U.S. operations were led by strong sales of Ford's new F-series pickup, the top-selling vehicle in the United States, and the new Expedition, a full-size sport utility vehicle.

Ford's report completed the cycle for the Big Three.

Chrysler Corp. reported that its $680 million in earnings for the third quarter were nearly double those of a year ago. General Motors Corp. said that it earned $1.27 billion, also nearly double compared with the same period of 1995.