1st-Quarter Net Earnings Decline for Datum Inc.

Datum Inc. said its net earnings during the first quarter fell 8.75% to $219,000 from $240,000 a year earlier. However, revenues for the three-month period rose 11% to $4.8 million from $4.3 million during the first quarter of 1985.

Louis B. Horwitz, Datum’s president, blamed the decline in net earnings on increased administrative and research costs, coupled with decreased investment income caused by lower interest rates.

Datum manufactures precision frequency and timing instruments for military, industrial, space and commercial applications. The company has plants in Anaheim and in Beverly, Mass.