Kodak reports first-quarter results

Eastman Kodak this month posted strong results for the first quarter of 1999 (end-March), breaking out sales in each of its divisions for only the second time. The Rochester, NY, company’s Health Imaging division saw sales of $521 million for the quarter, a 41% increase over the previous year’s $370 million. The company attributed the increase to its acquisition of Imation’s medical imaging business in December (SCAN 3/3/99 and 12/16/98). Health Imaging’s net earnings were $67 million, up 24% from 1998’s first-quarter results of $54 million, which included a $12 million after-tax charge for litigation. Net earnings increased 2% without 1998’s litigation charge.