Intel's fourth-quarter earnings exceeded analyst expectations, while revenues were in line with expectations. However, forecasts on the future of the microprocessor manufacturer disappointed the market, which first toasted the accounts in the after-hours on Wall Street, only to then turn negative, pushing Intel shares downwards.
In the last quarter of 2012, the group recorded profits of 2,6 billion (48 cents per share), down 27% on an annual basis, when the figure had touched 3,4 billion (64 cents per share). The downturn in the demand for personal computers was the most important factor. Analysts, however, had forecast earnings at 45 cents a share.
Revenues also suffered a decline, falling to 13,5 billion from 13,89 billion 12 months earlier. In this case, the figure is in line with analysts' estimates.
As for the indications received for the first quarter of 2013, the company sees revenues in the range of 12,2-13,2 billion dollars. The low end of this range disappointed market experts, who had expected a forecast of $12,91 billion. The stock yesterday closed the session on the Nasdaq up 2,58%, at 22,68 dollars. In the after-hours Intel shares managed to drop more than 3%, after an initial leap forward.
