Irvine Time-Product Maker Datum Posts Higher Fourth-Quarter Profit

Datum Inc., an Irvine-based manufacturer of precision time products, reported that fourth-quarter net income rose to $68,000, or 1 cent a share, from $55,000, or 1 cent a share, for the same period in 1997. Sales climbed 8% to $23.9 million from $22.1 million.

For the year, the company posted a loss of $1.5 million, or 27 cents a share, compared with net income of $4.8 million, or 90 cents a share, in 1997. Sales fell 11.4% to $101.2 million from $114.1 million.