National Semi Loses Big -- Or Maybe Not

Are you a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty kind of person? Because the answer may help in digesting National Semiconductor's(NSM Quote) earnings report after the bell today.

A glass-half-empty type probably would focus on the company's $63.7 million loss in the quarter and 39% drop in sales. That comes to a loss per share of 28 cents.

Last year at this time, the chipmaker reported an $83.2 million profit, or 34 cents per share. Sales fell from $462 million in the year-over period to $280.8 million this quarter. That's enough to make a person feel queasy. ...