For Better Living Lists Dip in Earnings

For Better Living Inc. reported earnings of $193,000 for the first quarter ended March 28, a slight 1.5% decline from $196,000 posted a year ago. The quarter’s sales rose 5.4% to $16.4 million from $15.5 million a year earlier.

Bill Nolan, assistant secretary and controller of the diversified San Juan Capistrano company, said earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 1986 were inflated due to gains made during the sale of certain common stocks. Net income from the quarter just ended originated solely from operations, he said.