Unisys to Stop Producing PCs

Unisys Corp. said that it will stop making personal computers and will take a $1.1-billion charge against fourth-quarter earnings and concentrate on its lucrative corporate computer and services businesses. Most of the charge, to be included in results due Jan. 15, will take the form of a $900-million write-off of goodwill from the merger of Burroughs and Sperry Corp. that created Unisys in 1986. The Blue Bell, Pa.-based company also called for early redemption of $198 million in senior notes due July 15 to meet its goal of cutting $1 billion in debt by 2000. Unisys stock rose 38 cents a share to close at $14.31 on the New York Stock Exchange.