Dataproducts Results Off 49%, Despite Gain in Sales

Dataproducts reported that its net income fell 49% in the third quarter ended Dec. 26, to $1.1 million, or 5 cents a share, even though its sales rose 7%, to $91.2 million.

The profit drop for the Woodland Hills computer printer was attributed to a shift in sales to newer products, including some of its laser printers. Those products have lower profit margins because the company is still spending a lot on product development.

For the nine months, Dataproducts reported a loss of $5.3 million, or 25 cents a share, contrasted with a profit of $7.3 million, or 35 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue fell 2%, to $249.2 million.

The nine-month loss stems from a $6.7-million loss in the second quarter ended Sept. 26. That loss was caused by the July purchase of Imaging Solutions, a computer printer company.