Datron Profit Drops 36% as Defense Orders Slow

Datron Systems reported that earnings fell 36% in the fourth quarter ended March 31 to $442,000, or 16 cents a share, as sales dropped 9% to $6.7 million.

For the year, profit fell 22% to $1.4 million, or 51 cents a share. Revenue increased 4% to $22.5 million.

Thomas V. Baker, chief financial officer for the Simi Valley defense contractor, attributed the decline in earnings to slower-than-expected government orders. Baker said orders have picked up since the quarter ended, and Datron’s order backlog is now at $25 million, an all-time high.