Motorola Reports 64% Rise in Second-Quarter Profit

Motorola Inc. reported sharply higher second-quarter revenue and earnings, led by a 75% rise in telecommunications equipment sales.

For the period ended June 30, the Schaumburg, Ill., electronics manufacturer reported net income of $367 million, or 63 cents a share, up 64% from $224 million, or 40 cents, for the 1993 second quarter. Sales increased 38% to $5.4 billion for the period, contrasted with $3.9 billion last year.

Motorola reported the greatest growth in its General Systems unit, where sales rose 75% to $2.1 billion and operating profit was said to be higher. The company cited strong increases in sales of cellular telephones and transmitting equipment and of digital wireless telephone systems in China and Japan.

Semiconductor products sales rose 23% to $1.7 billion, with the highest increase in North America. Automotive, communications and computing led the end-market segments in growth, and distribution orders also increased, Motorola said.

Motorola also reported strong growth in its Communications Segment, which includes pagers, radios and specialized mobile radio equipment that companies such as Nextel Communications Inc. are using to create cellular-like systems. Sales increased 26% to $1.4 billion, Motorola said, orders increased 28% and “operating profits were higher.”