General Motors Corp. ran its string of profitable quarters to three Tuesday when it announced second-quarter net income of $891 million that came largely from overseas operations.

The earnings growth in Europe, Latin America, Asia and other areas eclipsed lingering problems in North America. Although GM showed vast improvement in its backyard, it still posted a net loss of $39 million there.

Nonetheless, quarterly profits announced by GM and Ford raised hopes that at least two of the Detroit Three were headed in the right direction after billion-dollar losses and talk of possible bankruptcies.

Ford Motor Co. last week posted its first quarterly profit in two years at $750 million, although the company warned it had not turned the corner to consistent profitability.