Whirlpool sees North America driving growth in 2016

Whirlpool Corp reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit and said consumer demand is likely to remain resilient in North America, its biggest market, this year. An improving U.S. economy has helped boost consumer spending in the country, even as economic uncertainty plagues emerging markets, particularly China and Brazil. Whirlpool's sales in North America rose about 4 percent to $2.9 billion in the quarter ended Dec. 31, accounting for about 52 percent of total sales.