On the Call: HP’s personal computer chief on ’softness’ in the consumer PC market
By APThursday, August 19, 2010
On the Call: HP’s PC chief on consumer ’softness’
SAN FRANCISCO — Hewlett-Packard Co.’s personal computer division prospered in HP’s latest fiscal quarter, with revenue that jumped 17 percent to $9.9 billion. Still, many investors are worried that while companies are snapping up new PCs to replace aging machines, consumers could be scaling back as the U.S. economic recovery wobbles and fallout from the debt crisis in Europe spreads.
On a conference call with investors to discuss HP’s fiscal third-quarter results, Todd Bradley, who leads HP’s PC division, addressed trends that HP — the world’s No. 1 PC seller — saw in the latest period.
QUESTION: Could you characterize what you’re seeing in the consumer PC market currently?
ANSWER (Bradley): “Well, we saw some softness in our consumer notebook market … . I think back-to-school started somewhat late for us, but we certainly have seen it start. So I think it was a soft beginning, but overall we’re seeing that things are on track.”
