Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) rolled out its Q3 numbers after the bell this afternoon, and they were in-line with expectations. The analyst crowd had pegged Dell with a $0.35 EPS for the Q3 period, and the company saw an actual of $0.34 for the quarter, missing consensus estimates by a penny. Will the market punish it after hours? So far, yes -- Dell shares are down to $26.29 in after-hours trading after completing the trading day at $28.14.Dell's Q3 revenues were $15.6 billion, up 9% from the year-ago quarter, with operating income at $829 million (up 13% year over year). In addition, the world's second-largest computer maker saw $1 billion in cash from its operations, along with growing its business in the Americas 7%. By contrast, Dell's international operations grew much larger than that: EMEA business grew 14% while the Asia Pacific region saw 18% growth gains.
Dell has spent $103 million YTD on acquisitions, which include Silverback, Zing, ASAP, EqualLogic and Everdream. Dell, in other words, is trying to make up for lost ground using a string of smaller acquisitions. This was not the company's strategy about 24 months ago, but times have changed. If you'd like to see all the details currently being presented in the Q3 conference call, visit this link (PDF download).
Google's plan for netbook PCs moves higher into the clouds
Closing Bell: Stock bulls and dollar death (DDRX,GMCR, PEET, SBUX, EBAY, CI, TECD)
So long peak oil, here comes peak uranium
