Hitachi Medical warns of first-half loss

Hitachi Medical expects to report a net loss of $5.67 million for the half-year ended Sept. 30. The company said that despite strong U.S. sales of MRI and diagnostic ultrasound systems, CT and ultrasound sales in Japan have been weak.

Hitachi had projected a profit of $3.02 million for the period. The firm said group sales would likely reach $451 million, some $54.44 million short of the original projection.

A spokesperson for the Hitachi Medical Corporation of America said the ultrasound division in the U.S. had exceeded its sales goals in the past few months. She said the company plans new product introductions at the RSNA show.