IRVINE, Calif., May 22 -- By approving an amendment to the company's articles of incorporation, Newport Corp.'s stockholders have, in effect, made possible the previously announced 3-for-1 split of the company's common stock. By approving the amendment the stockholder's have increased the number of authorized common shares from 20 million to 75 million. Accordingly, Newport stockholders will receive two additional common shares for each share held on the record date May 17, 2000. The payable date is May 31, 2000.