Trio Tech Takes a Tumble

Trio Tech International Inc. of Van Nuys showed a dip in revenue and earnings during its fiscal second quarter. The semiconductor testing service and equipment manufacturer reported on Tuesday net income of $215,000 (5 cents a share) for the quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with net income of $248,000 (3 cents) in the same period a year earlier. Revenue decreased by 6 percent to $8.4 million. No analysts follow the company. Chief Executive S.W. Yong said the drop in revenue was due to reduced demand for semiconductor testing services and the strength of the U.S. dollar. Trio Tech did see rapid growth in its distribution business of providing products from other manufacturers that complement Trio Tech’s testing products, Yong said. “One of our primary objectives is to further expand our distribution revenue to help offset the volatility which is characteristic of our semiconductor testing business,” Yong said in a prepared statement. Shares closed up 5 cents, or just more than 2 percent, to $2.45 on the New York Stock Exchange.