AST Research Posts Net for Year of $27.2 Million

Despite a fourth-quarter downturn, AST Research Inc. reported a 43% jump in net income for fiscal 1986 to $27.2 million, from $19 million in fiscal 1985.

For the fourth quarter, the Irvine-based computer maker reported a 39% drop in net income to $4.1 million, from $6.7 million a year ago.

Revenues for the year were up 24% to $172 million, from $139 million in fiscal 1985. For the fourth quarter, revenues fell 4.7% to $40 million, from $42.4 million during the same period last year.

The poor showing in the fourth quarter was because of a downturn in domestic sales and market acceptance of a wider range of personal computers, said Safi Qureshey, AST’s president.