'Ford profit decline poised for reversal'

Expects its results will grow progressively stronger, mainly in the second half

Ford Motor Co Chief Executive Officer Mark Fields, presiding over his first annual meeting, addressed shareholder concern about the company's lagging stock by promising the company is poised for a profit liftoff in the year's second half.

"We're poised for a breakthrough year for our company," Fields told shareholders Thursday at the automaker's annual meeting in Wilmington, Delaware.

"We expect our results will grow progressively stronger, mainly in the second half, as the new products that we've been launching start to really pay off."