AST Research Inc., Irvine, posted net income...

AST Research Inc., Irvine, posted net income of $306,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 1989, compared to $72,000 for the previous year’s first quarter. Sales rose 38% for the quarter ended Sept. 30, to $108.4 million from $78.6 million. Safi Qureshey, president, said that although results were lower than originally anticipated, sales were the highest for a first quarter since the company began operations 9 years ago. Earnings for the quarter were affected by increased selling and promotional expense, higher average prices for components and selective price adjustments taken in August, the company said. Eight new computer models and four broad-level products were announced by AST in the preceding 3 months, Qureshey said.