Dell’s Turnaround Is A Slow Turn, H-P Stays Much Stronger (DELL, HPQ)

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) posted earnings of $0.34 EPS outside of charges on revenues of $15.99 Billion, while First Call had estimates at $0.36 EPS on revenues of $16.27 Billion. After items, Dell’s net was $0.31 EPS. Those numbers had already come in come in slightly by since its last earnings report, but that was too low to please Wall Street after a different message from Hewlett-Packard.

We didn’t get formal guidance, although the hints all pointed to the PC-giant being more cautious. Estimates for next quarter are $0.35 EPS and $15.8 Billion in revenues.  The company said it was returning to growth, but the company noted a slowing US-Customer and a slowdown in financial firms.  The company also noted that the retail in-store push came too late to add enough to past results.

The stock closed at $20.87, up 0.5% today, and the 52-week Trading range is $18.87 to $30.77.  Dell shares had been down almost 4% in after-hours trading, but shares are currently down 1.5% at $20.55.

Wall Street really wanted more than this, particularly in light of much stronger comments from H-P with its earnings.  Dell’s turnaround might be taking hold, but it’s not yet back to beating H-P.

Jon C. Ogg
February 28, 2008