Ast Research Inc

AST Research Inc., continuing to prosper in a down personal computer market, posted a 48% jump in second-quarter sales but only a modest improvement in profits. The company reported sales of $239.1 million for the quarter ended Dec. 27, contrasted with $161.1 million for the corresponding quarter in 1991. Earnings were $16.7 million, or 52 cents per share, up from $16.3 million a year earlier. As recently as December, AST President Safi U.

AST Research Inc., following a trend among some major personal-computer manufacturers to pursue mass-market sales, plans to introduce a PC targeting computer novices within the next two months, the company said Friday. The new line, internally dubbed "M&M" for mass market, could be available within months at some Circuit City retail stores, said AST President Thomas Yuen.

Personal computer maker AST Research Inc. has established sales offices in Singapore and Taiwan as part of an effort to boost sales in the Far East. "The opening of AST's Singapore and Taiwan offices reflects the company's commitment to the Pacific Rim's personal computer marketplace and its continued global strategy to gain worldwide market share," said Tom Yuen, AST's chief operating officer. "AST's local proximity will allow it to keep pace with the region's rapidly growing computer industry."

AST Research Inc. has made a $1-million donation of computer equipment and construction funds to UC Irvine, the second-largest, one-time corporate donation ever received by UCI. The Irvine computer maker said it will donate $900,000 in computer equipment during the next four years to UCI for use by various academic departments. The equipment includes 300 personal computers and related equipment. AST has also donated $100,000 to UCI's Rockwell Engineering Center, a $4.

Undeterred by war and recession, computer maker AST Research Inc. reported Wednesday that its earnings rose 74% to $16.7 million for its third quarter, ended March 29. The quarterly earnings compare with $9.6 million a year earlier. Sales for the quarter were $180.1 million, up 31% from $137.2 million in the 1990 period. AST attributed the growth to outstanding demand for two new product lines: notebook computers that fit inside a briefcase and desktop computers based on Intel Corp.'

AST Research Inc., one of Wall Street's favorite technology stocks for much of 1991, has taken some lumps in the last month, losing 25% of its value during the past month and hitting a 1991 low of $16.50 a share Monday. Analysts say that renewed competition from struggling Compaq Computer Corp. is giving investors jitters about the Irvine personal computer company.

AST Research Inc. announced Tuesday that co-founder Safi Qureshey has stepped down as president and will be succeeded by James T. Schraith. The company said the change will allow Qureshey, who has served as president since co-founding the computer company in 1980, to concentrate on strategic rather than day-to-day concerns. The 43-year-old Pakistani immigrant will remain as chairman.

AST Research Inc., the personal computer manufacturer, Tuesday reported third-quarter profit more than 20% below analyst estimates despite a 54% increase in revenue. The Fortune 500 company reported quarterly net income of $11 million, or 35 cents per share, compared to net income of $16.7 million, or 53 cents per share a year earlier. Analysts expected AST to report about 45 cents a share for the quarter. Revenues increased 53% to $370.3 million from $241.5 million a year earlier.

AST Research Inc., continuing on a financial rebound despite a personal computer industry slump, said Thursday that its sales and earnings were sharply higher during the latest quarter. AST said earnings for its second quarter ended Dec. 29 will top $7 million, contrasted with a loss of $8.9 million in the year-earlier quarter. Sales will be up 17% to $130 million, from $110.9 million a year earlier.

Computer maker AST Research Inc. has sued Texas Instruments Inc., alleging that Dallas-based TI has failed to honor royalty rights AST acquired when it bought Tandy Corp.'s computer division last summer. Irvine-based AST alleged in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Santa Ana that it acquired the right to pay a reduced royalty on patents held by TI when it bought Tandy's computer manufacturing assets for $105 million in July.