3Com's Loss Narrows

3Com's(COMS Quote) fourth-quarter loss narrowed from a year ago, thanks to higher sales, and the company outlined plans to cut about 250 jobs.

3Com lost $15.2 million, or 4 cents a share, in the quarter, compared with a loss of $58.3 million, or 15 cents a share, a year ago. The latest quarter had restructuring and amortization charges of $13 million, or 3 cents a share. The adjusted loss of 1 cent a share was 3 cents narrower than the Wall Street consensus.

Fourth-quarter sales rose 44% from a year ago to $255 million, reflecting in part the consolidation of 3Com's H-3C unit into the parent's financials. On a pro forma basis, fourth-quarter sales rose 22% from a year ago to $304 million. Analysts were forecasting $264 million in the quarter. ...