Short Take: Lucent takes loss through Octel acquisition

Lucent Technologies reported a 17.2 percent jump in fourth-quarter revenues as well as a loss due to an acquisition. Revenues reached $6.93 billion for the quarter ended September 30, up from $5.9 billion a year ago. The company posted a loss of $597 million, or 92 cents a share, for the quarter, compared with net profits of $255 million or 40 cents a share a year earlier. But without the charge for buying Octel Communications, Lucent would have reported profits of $369 million or 57 cents a share. Revenues for its systems and network operators, including sales of switching and wireless systems, rose 17.8 percent in the quarter over a year ago.