Computer Firms: Microsoft Corp. earnings rose 10%...

Computer Firms: Microsoft Corp. earnings rose 10% in the latest quarter, the personal computer software maker said, belying its own forecast of an earnings decline, while rival Ashton-Tate Corp. reported a small earnings gain. Wang Laboratories predicted it would post the worst quarterly loss in two years in its third fiscal quarter. Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft said it earned $41.1 million in the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, up from $37.3 million a year earlier. Revenue rose 22% to $197 million from $161.8 million a year earlier. Ashton-Tate of Torrance said its net income rose to $11.5 million in the quarter ended March 31 from $11.1 million a year earlier. Revenue rose to $89.8 million from $72.4 million a year earlier. The company attributed the flat earnings to increased research and development and sales and marketing expenses. Lowell, Mass.-based Wang said it expects to lose some $55 million in its third quarter. Last week, Wang announced plans to drop its worldwide payroll to 28,500 by June 1990. It had 31,700 employees in November, when it began a policy of not filling vacancies.

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