Semiconductor Cuts Losses to $5.7 Million

SANTA CLARA —  National Semiconductor on Tuesday reported a $5.7-million net loss for its second quarter, a substantial improvement over the $38.3-million loss posted a year earlier as sales picked up slightly throughout the industry.

The company said sales climbed to $456.8 million for the 12-week quarter ended Dec. 14, up from $349.2 million for the equivalent quarter in 1985.

Charles E. Sporck, president and chief executive, noted that the semiconductor group reported a moderate gain in sales and a major improvement in operating performance for the quarter.

“However, operating performance declined compared to the first quarter because of reduced bookings during the summer.”

He said the information systems group reported record sales for the quarter as the result of another record quarter by National Advanced Systems.

Sporck also expressed optimism about the coming year.

“Semiconductor order rates have improved from the levels experienced during the summer, and we expect to see a continued modest improvement in market strength for semiconductors during calendar year 1987,” he said.