Microsoft, Google - Join Intel, Lexmark with Bad News and Staff Reductions

Microsoft

"Our financial position is solid ... but it is also clear that we are not immune to the effects of the economy," Chief Executive Steve Ballmer wrote to employees in a letter. "Consumers and businesses have reined in spending, which is affecting PC shipments and IT expenditures."
Microsoft will be eliminating 5,000 job with 1,400 going immediately, the rest over 18 months.

Microsoft's staggered elimination of 5,000 jobs -- 1,400 immediately and the rest over 18 months.

Lexmark

The economic slump prompted customers to rein in spending, hurting demand for printers. Lexmark has already trimmed about a 10th of its workforce in two years to cope with slowing orders and competition from market leader Hewlett-Packard Co. The new job cuts are aimed at saving $50 million a year.

“We saw weaker-than-expected market demand for both hardware and supply,” Chief Executive Officer Paul Curlander said.

Google

Google said fourth-quarter profits fell 68 percent to $382 million ($1.21 per share), from $1.2 billion ($3.79) a year ago.

Much of the decline was attributed to a $1.09 billion charge for soured investments in wireless provider Clearwire and in the AOL Web portal. A settlement over copyright infringement with book publishers added $95 million in costs.

Intel

After reporting its first quarterly loss in 22 years, Santa Clara computer chip maker Intel on Wednesday said it will lay off at least 5,000 employees and shut five manufacturing plants.

AMD

AMD reported its ninth straight loss as PC sales slow, then stall, and finally fall.

HP - $8.3 Billion in Earnings - E.P.S. up to $3.25 from $2.68

"Fiscal 2008 was a strong year with some notable accomplishments ... We have prepared HP to perform well and are building a company that can bring meaningful value to our customers and stockholders for the long term," Hurd wrote. "Looking ahead, it is important to separate 2008 from 2009, and acknowledge the difficult economic landscape."

The annual report revealed the following:

* Revenue growth of 13 percent, to $118.4 billion
* $8.3 billion in net earnings
* Earnings per share of $3.25, up from $2.68 in 2007

Additionally, Hurd earned $42.5 million in 2008, according to the company's proxy statement, released Tuesday.

Earnings preview: Xerox seen posting tough 4Q Associated Press, 01.21.09, 02:56 PM EST

Xerox Corp. is set to report earnings for the fourth quarter on Friday ahead of the opening bell.

The following is a summary of article over at Forbes.

Xerox announced a large restructuring during the quarter, saying it would cut 3,000 jobs, or 5 percent of its work force, on top of the 1,500 jobs the company already shed in 2008.

Xerox expects the new round of job cuts to save $200 million in 2009.

On average, analysts expect fourth-quarter earnings of 34 cents per share on revenue of $4.72 billion, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters. Analysts typically exclude one-time charges from their projections.

Deutsche Bank analyst Chris Whitmore sees companies continuing to skimp on IT spending because of economic uncertainty.

"We continue to believe printing and copying are the most discretionary purchases within IT budgets and corporations are likely to continue reducing/delaying equipment purchases," he told investors in a recent client note.

On the other hand, Whitmore said "modest" revenue from the company's "post-sale" business - sales of ink and other equipment to customers who already own Xerox printing and copy machines - should help offset weaker hardware sales.

Post-sale revenue accounts for about three-quarters of overall revenue for Xerox.