National Semi Posts a Lower-Than-Expected Loss

National Semiconductor hit the high end of its expectations when it reported third-quarter results for its fiscal 2002 during Thursday trading.

The analog chipmaker notched $369.5 million in revenue, near the top of its guidance of sales between $350 million to $370 million and beating Wall Street consensus estimates of a $363.8 million finish, as gathered by Thomson Financial/First Call.

Losses at the company totaled 21 cents a share for the quarter, a tribute to the still-tough business environment but much better than Street projections of a shortfall of 27 cents a share. A year ago, in the third quarter of fiscal 2001, National enjoyed $475.60 million in revenue and a 27-cent-a-share profit. ...