Dell 4Q profit edges down 6 percent, consumer PC strength can’t offset slow business spending

more images

more images

more images

more images

Dell 4Q profit edges down 6 percent

ROUND ROCK, Texas — Dell Inc. says its net income fell 6 percent in the most recent quarter. Consumers snapped up low-cost laptops and smaller netbooks over the holidays. But businesses, which account for about half of Dell’s revenue, still haven’t markedly increased spending on new computers.

From November through January, Dell says earnings slipped to $334 million, or 17 cents per share. That is down from $351 million, or 18 cents per share, a year ago.

Revenue increased 11 percent to $14.9 billion.

Dell’s results roughly tracked Wednesday’s report from its larger competitor Hewlett-Packard Co., which said it sees corporate PC buying picking up in the second half of the year.