EARNINGS

Northrop Blames Missile Development for Loss: In reporting a fourth-quarter loss and 21% lower annual profit, the defense company cited cost overruns on a missile it is developing for the government. Los Angeles-based Northrop Corp., whose best-known product is the B-2, or stealth bomber, lost $35 million, or 73 cents a share, on sales of $1.26 billion during the October-December period. It earned $55 million, or $1.17 a share, on sales of $1.51 billion during the fourth quarter of 1992. For the year, Northrop’s net income was $96 million, or $1.99 per share, down from $121 million, or $2.56 per share.