Acuson reports stable first quarter

Ultrasound vendor Acuson of Mountain View, CA, reported single-digit growth in sales for its first quarter (end-April), while net income dipped slightly. The company reported that U.S. sales remain stable, while international shipments increased 4% thanks to the shipment of a large order to China.

For the period, Acuson logged $119 million in sales, up 2.8% compared with $115.8 million in revenues in the first quarter of 1998. The company posted net income of $5.5 million in the quarter, compared with net income of $5.7 million in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Acuson’s operating income was higher this quarter than a year ago, but the company’s net profit was reduced by a $1 million charge for interest expense.