National Instruments' revenue falls, but still posts profit

The Austin-based company makes testing and measurement hardware and software systems used by scientists and engineers worldwide. It employs 2,700 workers in Austin.

First quarter ended March 31

THE RESULTS: The company on April 4 issued weaker-than-expected first-quarter guidance. It blamed the outlook on "further weakness in the industrial economy in Q1," and noted "a marked slow-down in our semiconductor accounts that are part of the wireless supply chain." The company on Thursday reported revenue of $287 million, down 1 percent year-over-year. Net income was $9.3 million, or 7 cents per share, compared with $15 million, or 12 cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Officials said the company is taking steps to weather the slow down. "In light of the uncertain outlook for the industrial economy, we plan to leverage the strategic investments we have already made while managing expenses carefully," Alex Davern, National Instruments chief financial officer, said in a statement.

STOCK PERFORMANCE: National Instruments shares have decreased slightly more than 3 percent since the beginning of the year. At the close of trading on Thursday, shares were at $27.75, a fall of 13 percent in the last 12 months.

About the Author

Lori Hawkins

Georgia Power, PSC staff strike deal for $16B expansion to power data centers

Georgia Power and the Public Service Commission’s staff unveiled a deal that would allow the utility to build huge amounts of new power plants, mostly to serve data centers.

Warnock renews push for enhanced job training with bipartisan bill

Employers that come to Georgia “are having a hard time finding workers with the education they need,” U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock said in a written statement.