The vendor’s EMEA and consumer operations were particularly strong, the PC giant said, adding that business spending was continuing the improvement it began last year.
Dell’s revenue for the quarter ending October 29 was $12.5 billion, up 18% on the year. Operating income was up 20% to $1.1 billion, while net income was $846 million, up 25%. This delivered earnings per share of $0.33. This was on the button with Wall Street’s expectations.
For the fourth quarter, the firm expects revenue of $13.5 billion, up 17% on the year, with earnings per share of $0.36, which is in line with current analysts’ estimates.
Dell said its enterprise operation gained share across all regions, increasing revenue by 10% and units by 15%. Notebooks were up were up 23% by revenue and 35% on the year, while desktop revenues grew 14% as units climbed 18%.
Breaking out the enterprise figures, Dell said server units grew 19% on the year, while Dell/EMC storage revenues were up 31% on capacity growth of 112%.
Looking at longer term trends, Dell executives said that business IT spending steadily and consistently rose since last year.
President and CEO Kevin Rollins said that from Dell’s perspective, corporate spending was not showing the peaks and valleys of the past.
Buying patterns appeared to be smoothing out, he said, and were no longer likely to be stimulated simply by the launch of a new processor or a new operating system.
For the year to date, sales stand at $35.7 billion, up 19%. Operating income so far is up 20% to $3.1 billion, while net income is up 25% to $2.4 billion.
