Voice Powered Technology Reports $3.37-Million Loss

Voice Powered Technology International Inc., a Sherman Oaks supplier of voice-recognition consumer electronics products, reported a large fourth-quarter loss.

In the three months ended Dec. 31, Voice Powered lost $3.37 million on a 31% decline in sales, to $5.56 million. A year earlier, it earned $698,000 on $7.99 million in sales.

For all of 1995, the company reported a $2.82-million loss, in contrast with a profit of $371,000 in 1994. Its annual sales fell 34%, to $23.4 million from $17.5 million.

The fourth-quarter loss included one-time charges totaling $2.82 million related to price-protection programs for the company’s retail accounts, discontinuing certain products, and reserves for obsolete components.

Voice Powered said it has introduced new products, discontinued or lowered prices on certain products and cut costs.