Tribune staff report | Littelfuse Inc. revised guidance for the first quarter of 2010, saying it expects sales to be approximately $144 million, which represents growth of 71 percent year over year.. Previous guidance called for sales in the range of $130 to $138 million.

Earnings for the first quarter of 2010 are expected to be in the
range of 67 cents to 71 cents per diluted share. Previous guidance called for
earnings in the range of 50 cents to 62 cents per diluted share.

“Electronics and automotive demand is exceeding our forecast in all
regions, and Startco is performing at the high end of expectations,”
said Gordon Hunter, chief executive officer. “Order rates and backlog
for most products increased as we progressed through the first quarter.”

No conference call will be held in conjunction with this revised
guidance. Littelfuse is scheduled to release financial results for the
first quarter on May 6, 2010.