National Semiconductor Posts Strong Earnings

National Semiconductor Corp. said earnings nearly tripled in its fiscal first quarter to $149.4 million, or 76 cents a share, far better than the 65 cents a share analysts expected. The Santa Clara, Calif., company attributed its strong first-quarter earnings to improved operating efficiencies at its plants and the targeting of markets such as wireless communications and Internet appliances for its analog and mixed-signal semiconductors. Sales rose 33% to $640.8 million. National Semiconductor shares jumped $2.81 to close at $47.31 on the NYSE.