Dell Q4 net income jumps three fold to $927 mn

Personal computer maker Dell Inc has reported a nearly three-fold jump in its net income to $927 million for the three-month period ended January 28, 2011 benefited from lower component cost and strong sales to corporate customers.

In the year-ago period, the company had a net income of $334 million, Dell said in a statement.

The company's revenue rose to $15.69 billion in the fourth quarter of FY11 from $14.9 billion in the same quarter an year-ago. Thus, registering a gain of 5%.

Dell's robust quarter numbers were lifted by strong sales to corporate customers, who have been replacing older PCs with new models running Microsoft Corp's Windows 7 software.

Besides, the company also gained from smart performance of emerging countries. It also got a boost from lower costs of components like memory chips and LCD screens.

"I'm very pleased with our fiscal year results and the strong performance we're seeing in our commercial businesses," the company's chairman and CEO Michael Dell said.

He further said, "We remain focused on developing and acquiring new technologies and capabilities, and our IT solutions portfolio has never been stronger. Customers are now seeing Dell in a fresh light, and we're heading into the new year with strength and optimism."

Revenues from large businesses stood at $4.6 billion, up 12% a year ago. Revenues to small and medium businesses climbed 12% to $3.7 billion. But revenue in Dell's consumer business declined 8% to $3.3 billion.

In terms of geographical location, BRIC countries -- Brazil, Russia, India and China -- have emerged as best performers with revenues increasing by 21% and even represent 13% of the computer giant's total revenue.

Besides, Asia-Pacific and Japan revenue grew 17%, Europe, the Middle East and Africa increased 3% and the Americas were up 3%.

For the full year, the company's revenue lifted to $61.49 billion from $52.90 billion in the corresponding period an year ago, implying a gain of $8.6 billion, largest single-year increase in the company's history. While Dell's net profit soared by 84% from the corresponding period an year ago to $2.63 billion in FY11.

Looking ahead, Dell forecast a revenue growth of 5-9% for its FY12 and expect that normal seasonal declines in its consumer and public businesses and, as such, a slight sequential decline in revenue.