Samsung Adds $50 Million to Its Growing Stake in AST

Troubled computer maker AST Research Inc. said it will receive a $50 million short-term loan from Samsung Electronics, part of a financial deal announced earlier this month that will boost Samsung’s stake in AST and give it control of the computer company’s board of directors.

The loan is the first installment of an arrangement in which Samsung, the Korean electronics giant, will provide Irvine-based AST with a line of credit of up to $100 million until Nov. 30, 1996.

“The short-term loan provides AST with the immediate ability to finance product development, marketing and other activities as we embark on our turnaround plan,” said Ian Diery, AST’s new chief executive officer.

AST reported a loss of $96 million in its first fiscal quarter, after posting a loss of nearly $100 million in the last fiscal year. Samsung injected $378 million into AST earlier this year in exchange for a 40% stake in the company.