MOTOROLA REPORTS WIDE LOSS.(BUSINESS)

Byline: ANDREW BUCHANAN Associated Press

CHICAGO -- Motorola Inc. reported a first quarter loss Tuesday that was wider than analysts' already lowered expectations, citing slumping sales. It was the cellphone and chip maker's first quarterly operating loss in 16 years.

In the quarter ended March 31, Motorola lost $533 million, or 24 cents per share, compared with profits of $448 million, or 20 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter.

Excluding one-time items, the …