Dell says to report quarterly earnings 5 days early
Dell Inc, mired in a battle between activist investor Carl Icahn and co-founder Michael Dell over its future, said it will report quarterly results on Thursday, May 16, five days ahead of schedule.
Dell, in a statement on Tuesday, did not give a reason for the change in plans.
The computer maker is expected to report revenue of "roughly" $14 billion, and earnings - excluding some expenses - of 20 cents a share for its fiscal first quarter, the Wall Street Journal said, citing a person briefed on the results.
Dell expects to report operating income of about $600 million, the journal added, citing the person.
A Dell spokesman declined to comment, reiterating that Dell plans to release the results on Thursday.
Dell is expected to report net income of $607.10 million on revenue of $13.5 billion for the fiscal first quarter ended April, according to the average analyst estimate compiled by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. On a per share basis analysts are expecting earnings of 35 cents.
Dell has struggled to make up for a declining share of the global PC market and is now trying to transform itself into a provider of enterprise computing services.
Analysts have said Dell's rapidly shrinking business and murky prospects in a declining PC market may make the buyout a more attractive option for investors tired of waiting for a turnaround but many shareholders are unhappy with Michael Dell's proposal to offer $13.65 a share to acquire the company.
Icahn and Southeastern Asset Management, two of Dell's largest shareholders, are trying to stop Michael Dell from buying it out for $24.4 billion, a value they argue undervalues the world's No. 3 PC maker.
The company was previously scheduled to report its quarterly results on May 21.
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