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SEATTLE - Symantec Corp, the world's largest maker of security software, reported an increase in quarterly profit on Wednesday, boosted by an improvement in overseas sales.
Symantec, which makes Norton security software, said net income rose to US$132 million ($176 million), or 15 cents per diluted share, in its fiscal third quarter, from US$117 million, or 12 cents per share, a year earlier.
Revenue totaled US$1.52 billion.
Three months ago, Chief Executive John Thompson told investors on an earnings conference call that he was concerned US economic problems would hurt Norton sales.
He was one of the first executives of a major US corporation outside of the financial services and housing industries to warn about fallout from the crisis in those sectors.
Symantec, based in Cupertino, California, forecast fourth- quarter earnings of 33 cents to 35 cents per share before items on revenue of US$1.51 billion to US$1.55 billion.
- REUTERS
