AEROSPACE

Rockwell Earnings Rise: The diversified technology giant reported steady earnings improvement--$562 million, or $2.55 a share--for the year ended Sept. 30. That was up 18% from a profit of $483 million, or $2.16 a share, for the previous 12 months before a onetime charge. Annual sales were slightly lower at $10.8 billion, compared to $10.9 billion for the previous 12 months. After a mandated accounting charge against earnings for changes in the way the company accounts for medical costs for retirees, Rockwell reported a loss of $1 billion, or $4.62 a share, for 1992. Don Beall, chief executive of Rockwell International Corp., said the results showed the combined effects of cost cutting programs and new products to counter a decline in Defense Department and commercial aircraft work.