New Century Financial Corp.: The Irvine finance...

New Century Financial Corp.: The Irvine finance company reported net earnings of $5.1 million, or 46 cents a share, for the second quarter, contrasted with a net loss of $317,000, or 5 cents a share, for the same period last year. Revenue rose to $23 million from $1.1 million.

First-half net income totaled $7.4 million, or 69 cents a share, contrasted with a net loss of $815,000, or 13 cents a share, for the 1996 first half. Revenue climbed to $35.6 million from $1.1 million. In the first half of 1997, the company opened 24 new retail offices, bringing the total to 44, and 10 new wholesale offices, for a total of 25.