Trio Tech Reports Profit After 3 Quarters of Losses

Returning to profitability after three straight money-losing quarters, Trio Tech International earned $24,000, or 1 cent a share, on sales of $4.3 million for its first quarter ended Sept. 26.

Earnings were down 70%, however, from a year ago, when they were $81,000, or 3 cents a share, on sales of $4.1 million.

Company President Charles Wilson said Trio Tech continues to be held back by the slump in the semiconductor industry. The Burbank-based concern makes semiconductor testing equipment and owns semiconductor testing labs.

Wilson attributed the first-quarter profit to higher sales and cost cutting. He said the sales increase was due partly to Trio Tech’s price discounting in the Far East.