Vitesse Semiconductor Loses $469,000 in Quarter

Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. in Camarillo said it lost $469,000 in its fiscal fourth quarter, compared with a net income of $202,000 a year earlier, because of a global slowdown in high-performance computer development.

But for its full fiscal year, the company posted a profit for the first time since its founding in 1984. It earned $704,000 (including a $202,000 extraordinary gain), compared with a loss of $2.9 million a year earlier.

Vitesse, which makes semiconductors, notably those made of gallium arsenide, had revenue of $9.87 million in its fourth quarter ended Sept. 30, up 37% from $7.21 million a year earlier. For its full fiscal year, Vitesse reported record revenue of $37.3 million, up 57% from $23.7 million in fiscal 1991.