
L3Harris Technologies [LHX] last Thursday reported a sharp drop in first quarter earnings driven by higher interest and pension expenses and a combination of costs related to acquisitions and divestitures despite strong sales. Net income slid 29 percent to $339 million, $1.76 earnings per share (EPS), from $475 million ($2.44 EPS) a year ago. Excluding costs related to acquisitions, divestitures and integrations, L3Harris generated per share earnings of $2.86, a penny above analysts’ estimates. Sales increased 9 percent to $4.5…