Special Devices Reports Rise in Earnings, Sales

Newhall-based Special Devices reported diluted net earnings per share of 54 cents for the third quarter that ended Aug. 2, up from 36 cents per share in the year-ago period, the company reported.

The company, which makes triggering devices for automobile air bags and pyrotechnic devices for aerospace, posted 1998 third-quarter sales of $43.4 million, compared with $37 million in the year-ago period.

National Technical Posts Record Half-Year Revenue

Strong demand for skilled information technology workers helped propel National Technical Systems to post record revenue for the fiscal second quarter and six months that ended July 31, the company reported.

Second-quarter and half-year revenue each increased by more than 13%, compared with year-ago periods--rising to $15.4 million and $30.3 million, respectively.

The company also posted record earnings of $766,000 or 11 cents per share in the second quarter, and $1.5 million or 22 cents per share for the first half of the year.

Earlier this month, Calabasas-based NTS signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately held XXCAL, a move designed to expand the NTS information technology business.

The deal awaits shareholder approval.