Dell Technologie reported revenue that beat analysts’ estimates after sales of computers to businesses didn’t fall as sharply as anticipated amid the slumping PC market. The results reflect a continued struggle to sell personal computers, particularly to consumers. The market saw historic declines in shipments from October through March after a surge in purchases during the pandemic, analyst Gartner Inc. reported in April.
In the fiscal first-quarter, revenue dropped 20% to $20.9 billion. It was a smaller contraction than the 22% projected, on average, by analysts. Profit, excluding some items, was $1.31 a share, the company said Thursday in a statement. Analysts, on average, estimated 85 cents. Consumer PC sales plunged 41% to $2.12 billion in the period ended May 5, compared with an average projection of $2.3 billion.