Sunbeam Reports 3rd Quarterly Loss

Sunbeam Corp. reported a loss for the third quarter in a row as retailers slashed orders to reduce inventories, but said its businesses are picking up and should gain momentum in 1999. The maker of small household appliances said it lost $99.9 million, or 99 cents a share, before a charge, contrasted with profit of $24.8 million, or 28 cents, a year ago. Analysts were expecting a loss of 13 cents. However, the Delray Beach, Fla.-based company said its cash and borrowing capability of $300 million was unchanged from June, and it expects to use just $10 million in cash in the fourth quarter. That provides reassurance the company won’t be forced into a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, analysts said. Sales rose 73% to $496 million because of acquisitions. Excluding acquired businesses, sales would have fallen 42%. Sunbeam also reported its second-quarter results--a loss before a charge of $131.1 million, or $1.30 a share, contrasted with earnings of $8.7 million, or 10 cents, a year ago. Revenue more than doubled to $578.5 million from $271.4 million, but would have fallen 23% excluding acquisitions. Sunbeam shares rose 25 cents to close at $5.94 on the NYSE.