CLEVELAND -- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., helped by growing sales in emerging markets, reported a fourth-quarter profit Thursday that easily beat most expectations, according to The Associated Press.

Even though sales remain weak in North America and Europe, the tire company based in Akron, Ohio, reported an 8 percent increase in volume due to growing global demand.

In Asia, Goodyear reported the volume of new equipment rose 36 percent, while North America recorded a decline of 7 percent.