ORANGE COUNTY EARNINGS

Beckman Coulter Inc.: The Fullerton provider of medical diagnostics said fourth-quarter net income totaled $18.5 million, or 63 cents a share, as sales rose 14%.

A year ago, the company posted a net loss of $320.2 million, or $11.63 a share, reflecting charges from the acquisition of Coulter Corp. Sales rose to $483 million from $424 million.

For the year, the company earned $33.5 million, or $1.14 a share, contrasted with a net loss of $264.4 million, or $9.58 a share, the previous year. Sales climbed 42% to $1.7 billion from $1.2 billion. The company said sales comparisons were affected by the acquisition of Coulter on Oct. 31, 1997.

The company also announced that Louis T. Rosso, chairman, will retire from the board as of Feb. 4. Rosso retired as Beckman Coulter chief executive in September after nearly 40 years with the company. Rosso was named chairman emeritus. John P. Wareham, president and chief executive, will assume the additional duties of chairman. In addition, Dennis C. Fill is leaving the board. He is retiring as chairman and chief executive of ATL Ultrasound Inc. Ronald W. Dollens, president and chief executive of Guidant Corp., was elected to fill the position.