AST Research Inc shares slumped $1.25 to $14 at the end of last week, a 52-week low, after the company warned analysts about its sales outlook. The Irvine, California company, now the world’s fifth largest personal computer maker, told analysts that turnover could come in lower than expected but that earnings should be on target because of good expense control. Analysts told Reuter after the chat that the company was having some difficulties raising production at its new plant in Ireland while consolidating output in other facilties. AST warned in March that it would not meet estimates of 40 cents per share for its fiscal third quarter, and actually reported 38 cents a share when the time came. The shares reached $33 earlier this year.
