Newport Corp. Expects Net Near Estimates

IRVINE — Newport Corp., a maker of scientific and commercial test equipment, said it is comfortable with analysts’ estimates that it will report third-quarter net income of 16 cents to 19 cents a share, and sales of $31 million to $32 million.

Newport expects to report results next week. The projected results represent a sharp increase from year-earlier third-quarter net income of $1.1 million, or 12 cents a share, on sales of $29.2 million.

The company also is “pretty much on target” to meet its sales goal of about $132 million for the year, said Robert G. Deuster, chairman, president and chief executive. In 1996, Newport had $119.9 million in sales.

Deuster said Newport has experienced more than 20% annual sales growth in such key areas as test equipment designed for use by producers of semiconductors, computer disk drives and fiber-optic equipment.