SonoSite Inc. Sales Dip 12 Percent

HeraldNet -- Earnings for Bothell-based SonoSite, which specializes in portable ultrasound equipment, dropped nearly 70 percent during the last three months, the company reported Monday. SonoSite reported second quarter earnings of $425,000, compared to $1.4 million a year ago. That amounts to 2 cents a share, compared to 8 cents during the second quarter of 2008. Officials said the worldwide recession has dramatically reduced sales of medical equipment. “We did see some improvement in buying trends toward the end of the quarter, yet our forward planning is focused on earnings and cash flow growth through 2010 as we await a recovery in hospital-based capital spending,” said SonoSite Chief Executive Kevin Goodwin. On Monday, SonoSite closed up 32 cents a share at $21.28.