Dell Sees Continuing Improvement in Demand Environment, Delivers Solid Progress Against Strategic Agenda

ROUND ROCK, Texas -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Sequential increases in demand and revenue from business customers highlighted Dell’s fiscal third-quarter 2010, reflecting the company’s strengthening enterprise-solutions capabilities, while overall operating expenses continued to decline as a result of strategic cost initiatives.

• Shipments were flat sequentially and down 5 percent from a year ago, though the Large Enterprise and Small and Medium Business segments had sequential improvements in shipments, revenue and operating income.
• Total revenue was $12.9 billion, a 1-percent sequential improvement and down 15 percent from a year ago. Q3 year-over-year comparisons across the business continued to improve from recent quarters.
• Gross margin was 17.3 percent of revenue including expenses of $102 million for organizational effectiveness (OE) actions and $27 million for amortization of intangibles. The combined cost of $129 million represented 1 percent of revenue.
• Earnings per share were 17 cents, including pre-tax expenses of $123 million (5 cents per share) for the OE actions and $40 million (1 cent per share) for amortization of intangibles.
• Cash flow from operations was again strong, totaling $801 million. Over the past four quarters, Dell has generated $3.4 billion of operating cash flow, up more than 40 percent from the previous four quarters.
• Operating Expenses were 12.8 percent of revenue, or $1.7 billion, 10 percent lower than last year’s third quarter.

Third Quarter Results:
(In millions)		FY10			FY09			Change
Revenue		$	12,896		$	15,162		(15%)
Operating Income		$	577		$	1,015		(43%)
Net Income		$	337		$	727		(54%)
EPS		$	0.17		$	0.37		(54%)
All growth rates are year-over-year.

Strategic Progress:

• Dell completed the acquisition of Perot Systems in early November, giving the company an advantage in delivering expanded, practical solutions that meet real customer needs and help them reduce IT costs. Dell’s Q3 enhanced services revenue, not including results from Perot Systems, increased 2 percent sequentially. Integration of Perot Systems into the new Dell Services business is under way, with consolidated reporting to begin in the fourth quarter.
• Dell’s enterprise-systems business also grew sequentially, with server and storage revenue up a combined 5 percent and particular strength in year-over-year EqualLogic sales. Dell’s strategy to design and deliver practical, standards-based solutions for the data center and the cloud is resonating with customers looking to reduce complexity, improve efficiency and lower costs.
• Dell has reduced total operating expenses by $1.6 billion and made further progress against lowering its cost of goods sold since committing to a $4 billion in cost reductions by the end of FY2011 or sooner.
• Combined sales in China, India, Brazil and Russia were up 18 percent sequentially and 5 percent over last year. In China, Dell’s second-largest country in terms of revenue, sales increased 20 percent sequentially and 8 percent year-over-year.

Business Units:

• Large Enterprise revenue was $3.4 billion, up 4 percent from the second quarter, though down 23 percent from a year ago. Sequential shipments improved 1 percent. Operating income for the quarter was $174 million. Dell expanded networking partnerships with Brocade and Juniper, introduced new PowerEdge 11g servers further optimized for virtualization, and expanded the line of PowerVault storage systems in the quarter.
• Public revenue was $3.7 billion, down 3 percent sequentially and 7 percent from a year ago. Operating income was $352 million. Shipments were off 12 percent sequentially, following typical seasonality in the U.S. public sector after peak purchasing periods for education and state customers.
• Small and Medium Business revenue was $3 billion, up 5 percent sequentially and down 19 percent year over year. Shipments were up 9 percent sequentially and operating income was $282 million, 15 percent higher than in Q2 as a result of steadily improving demand in both the Americas and Asia-Pacific and better performance in EMEA during the second half of the period.
• Consumer revenue was $2.8 billion, essentially flat from the second quarter and down 10 percent from a year ago. Shipments increased by 4 percent sequentially and 17 percent over last year. Dell’s Consumer business generated quarterly operating income of $10 million, and its year-to-date operating income exceeds 1 percent of revenue, consistent with expectations.

Quotes:

Michael Dell, chairman of the board and chief executive officer: “We are seeing improvement in overall underlying IT demand that is continuing into the fourth quarter. The same is true with momentum in Dell’s business, specifically in our Large Enterprise and SMB segments. The launch of Windows 7 is being very well received by SMBs and consumers, and we’ll see the benefits of that more fully in our fiscal Q4.”

Brian Gladden, chief financial officer: “Consistently generating strong cash from operations allows us to expand our own capabilities and acquire new ones. Those investments will mostly be in higher-margin enterprise solutions, like our purchase of Perot Systems. Adding Perot best positions us to provide streamlined solutions that help customers get the most from their IT budgets.”

Company Outlook:

• For the fourth quarter, Dell expects seasonal demand improvement in its Consumer business, while demand in Public is typically lower during the quarter. The company expects fouth quarter revenue to improve over the third quarter.

• The company is seeing improvement in underlying sequential trends in several areas, including a significant portion of its commercial business. Recent technology introductions, indications of improving economic activity and the prospect of a lift in associated IT spending position the company well, particularly as commercial customers upgrade their technology beginning in 2010.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) helps customers succeed by understanding their issues and needs and delivering innovative, high-value IT solutions. For more information, visit www.dell.com. To hear a replay of the third-quarter analyst call with Michael Dell, chairman and CEO, and Brian Gladden, CFO, go to www.dell.com/investors. To communicate directly with Dell, go to www.dell.com/dellshares.

Special Note:

Statements in this press release that relate to future results and events (including statements about our future financial and operating performance and anticipated customer demand) are forward-looking statements based on Dell's current expectations. Actual results and events in future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements because of a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including: weakening global economic conditions and instability in financial markets; our ability to reestablish a cost advantage over our competitors; our ability to generate substantial non-U.S. net revenue; our ability to accurately predict product, customer and geographic sales mix and seasonal sales trends; information technology and manufacturing infrastructure failures and breaches in data security; our ability to effectively manage periodic product transitions; disruptions in component or product availability; our reliance on vendors for quality product components, including reliance on several single-source or limited-source suppliers; our ability to access the capital markets; risks relating to our internal controls; potential unfavorable outcomes of tax matters and legal proceedings, including the continuing SEC investigation into certain accounting and financial reporting matters; our acquisition of other companies; our ability to properly manage the distribution of our products and services; the success of our cost-cutting measures; effective hedging of our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; counterparty default risks; obtaining licenses to intellectual property developed by others on commercially reasonable and competitive terms; our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel; loss of government contracts; expiration of tax holidays or favorable tax rate structures; changing environmental laws; and the effect of armed hostilities, terrorism, natural disasters and public health issues. For a discussion of those and other factors affecting our business and prospects, see Dell’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Consolidated statements of income, financial position and cash flows follow.

Dell, Dell EqualLogic, PowerEdge and PowerVault are trademarks of Dell Inc.

Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

DELL INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and Related Financial Highlights
(in millions, except per share data and percentages)
(unaudited)
					Three Months Ended						% Growth Rates
					October 30,		July 31,		October 31,
					2009		2009		2008		Sequential		Yr. to Yr.
Net revenue
	Products				$ 10,746		$ 10,623		$ 12,970		1%		(17%)
	Services, including software related				2,150		2,141		2,192		0%		(2%)
		Net revenue			12,896		12,764		15,162		1%		(15%)
Cost of net revenue
	Products				9,269		8,978		10,958		3%		(15%)
	Services, including software related				1,394		1,395		1,351		(0%)		3%
		Total cost of net revenue			10,663		10,373		12,309		3%		(13%)
		Gross margin			2,233		2,391		2,853		(7%)		(22%)
Selling, general and administrative					1,501		1,571		1,671		(4%)		(10%)
Research, development and engineering					155		149		167		4%		(7%)
		Total operating expenses			1,656		1,720		1,838		(4%)		(10%)
		Operating income			577		671		1,015		(14%)		(43%)
Investment and other income (expense), net					(63)		(42)		(6)		(51%)		NM
Income before income taxes					514		629		1,009		(18%)		(49%)
Income tax provision					177		157		282		13%		(37%)
		Net income			$ 337		$ 472		$ 727		(29%)		(54%)
Earnings per common share:
		Basic			$ 0.17		$ 0.24		$ 0.37		(29%)		(54%)
		Diluted			$ 0.17		$ 0.24		$ 0.37		(29%)		(54%)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
		Basic			1,956		1,955		1,953		0%		0%
		Diluted			1,966		1,960		1,957		0%		0%
Percentage of Total Net Revenue:
Gross margin					17.3%		18.7%		18.8%
Selling, general and administrative					11.6%		12.3%		11.0%
Research and development					1.2%		1.2%		1.1%
Operating expenses					12.8%		13.5%		12.1%
Operating income					4.5%		5.2%		6.7%
Income before income taxes					4.0%		4.9%		6.7%
Net income					2.6%		3.7%		4.8%
Income tax rate					34.5%		25.0%		28.0%
Net Revenue by Product Category:
Mobility					$ 4,191		$ 3,891		$ 4,861		8%		(14%)
Desktop PCs					3,020		3,319		4,091		(9%)		(26%)
Software and Peripherals					2,394		2,382		2,585		1%		(7%)
Servers and Networking					1,539		1,403		1,630		10%		(6%)
Enhanced Services					1,244		1,218		1,365		2%		(9%)
Storage					508		551		630		(8%)		(19%)
	Consolidated net revenue				$ 12,896		$ 12,764		$ 15,162		1%		(15%)
Percentage of Total Net Revenue:
Mobility					32%		30%		32%
Desktop PCs					23%		26%		27%
Software and Peripherals					19%		19%		17%
Servers and Networking					12%		11%		11%
Enhanced Services					10%		10%		9%
Storage					4%		4%		4%
Net Revenue by Global Segment:
Large Enterprise					$ 3,403		$ 3,285		$ 4,395		4%		(23%)
Public					3,695		3,798		3,960		(3%)		(7%)
Small and Medium Business					2,956		2,820		3,647		5%		(19%)
Consumer					2,842		2,861		3,160		(1%)		(10%)
	Consolidated net revenue				$ 12,896		$ 12,764		$ 15,162		1%		(15%)
Percentage of Total Net Revenue:
Large Enterprise					26%		26%		29%
Public					29%		30%		26%
Small and Medium Business					23%		22%		24%
Consumer					22%		22%		21%
Consolidated Operating Income:
Large Enterprise					$ 174		$ 172		$ 254
Public					352		383		361
Small and Medium Business					282		246		374
Consumer					10		89		142
	Consolidated segment operating income				818		890		1,131
	Severance and facility actions				(123)		(87)		(17)
	Broad based long-term incentives				(78)		(92)		(73)
	Amortization of intangible assets				(40)		(40)		(26)
	Consolidated operating income				$ 577		$ 671		$ 1,015
Note: Percentage growth rates and ratios are calculated based on underlying data in thousands.

DELL INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and Related Financial Highlights
(in millions, except per share data and percentages)
(unaudited)
					Nine Months Ended				% Growth Rates
					October 30,		October 31,
					2009		2008		Yr. to Yr.
Net revenue
	Products				$ 31,601		$ 41,073		(23%)
	Services, including software related				6,401		6,600		(3%)
		Net revenue			38,002		47,673		(20%)
Cost of net revenue
	Products				27,033		34,966		(23%)
	Services, including software related				4,177		4,062		3%
		Total cost of net revenue			31,210		39,028		(20%)
		Gross margin			6,792		8,645		(21%)
Selling, general and administrative					4,685		5,423		(14%)
Research, development and engineering					445		487		(9%)
In-process research and development					-		2		(100%)
		Total operating expenses			5,130		5,912		(13%)
		Operating income			1,662		2,733		(39%)
Investment and other income (expense), net					(107)		137		(178%)
Income before income taxes					1,555		2,870		(46%)
Income tax provision					456		743		(39%)
		Net income			$ 1,099		$ 2,127		(48%)
Earnings per common share:
		Basic			$ 0.56		$ 1.07		(48%)
		Diluted			$ 0.56		$ 1.06		(47%)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
		Basic			1,953		1,993		(2%)
		Diluted			1,959		1,998		(2%)
Percentage of Total Net Revenue:
Gross margin					17.9%		18.1%
Selling, general and administrative					12.3%		11.4%
Research and development					1.2%		1.0%
Operating expenses					13.5%		12.4%
Operating income					4.4%		5.7%
Income before income taxes					4.1%		6.0%
Net income					2.9%		4.5%
Income tax rate					29.3%		25.9%
Net Revenue by Product Category:
Mobility					$ 11,957		$ 14,605		(18%)
Desktop PCs					9,502		13,826		(31%)
Software and Peripherals					7,022		8,116		(13%)
Servers and Networking					4,228		5,081		(17%)
Enhanced Services					3,700		4,081		(9%)
Storage					1,593		1,964		(19%)
	Consolidated net revenue				$ 38,002		$ 47,673		(20%)
Percentage of Total Net Revenue:
Mobility					31%		30%
Desktop PCs					25%		29%
Software and Peripherals					18%		17%
Servers and Networking					12%		11%
Enhanced Services					10%		9%
Storage					4%		4%
Net Revenue by Global Segment:
Large Enterprise					$ 10,088		$ 14,122		(29%)
Public					10,664		12,051		(12%)
Small and Medium Business					8,743		11,849		(26%)
Consumer					8,507		9,651		(12%)
	Consolidated net revenue				$ 38,002		$ 47,673		(20%)
Percentage of Total Net Revenue:
Large Enterprise					27%		30%
Public					28%		25%
Small and Medium Business					23%		25%
Consumer					22%		20%
Consolidated Operating Income:
Large Enterprise					$ 538		$ 899
Public					1,028		969
Small and Medium Business					758		1,034
Consumer					98		259
	Consolidated segment operating income				2,422		3,161
	Severance and facility actions				(395)		(148)
	Broad based long-term incentives				(246)		(201)
	In-process research and development				-		(2)
	Amortization of intangible assets				(119)		(77)
	Consolidated operating income				$ 1,662		$ 2,733
Note: Percentage growth rates and ratios are calculated based on underlying data in thousands.

DELL INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and Related Financial Highlights
(in millions, except for "Ratios" and Other information)
(unaudited)
					October 30,		July 31,		October 31,
					2009		2009		2008
Assets:
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents				$ 12,795		$ 11,699		$ 7,910
	Short-term investments				331		299		662
	Accounts receivable, net				5,279		5,403		5,532
	Financing receivables, net				2,318		2,252		1,526
	Inventories, net				952		839		1,109
	Other				3,196		3,348		4,795
		Total current assets			24,871		23,840		21,534
Property, plant and equipment, net					1,978		2,117		2,458
Investments					828		746		374
Long-term financing receivables, net					311		263		435
Goodwill					1,748		1,748		1,743
Purchased intangible assets, net					607		646		750
Other non-current assets					682		698		523
		Total assets			$ 31,025		$ 30,058		$ 27,817
Liabilities and Equity:
Current liabilities:
	Short-term debt				$ 351		$ 49		$ 266
	Accounts payable				9,947		9,698		9,475
	Accrued and other				3,687		3,765		4,108
	Short-term deferred enhanced services revenue				2,876		2,775		2,572
		Total current liabilities			16,861		16,287		16,421
Long-term debt					3,442		3,394		1,851
Long-term deferred enhanced services revenue					3,054		3,051		3,001
Other non-current liabilities					2,643		2,701		2,385
		Total liabilities			26,000		25,433		23,658
		Stockholders' equity			5,025		4,625		4,159
		Total liabilities and equity			$ 31,025		$ 30,058		$ 27,817
Ratios:
Days of sales outstanding (1)					40		42		36
Days supply in inventory					8		7		8
Days in accounts payable					84		84		69
Cash conversion cycle					(36)		(35)		(25)
Average total revenue/unit (approximate)					$ 1,290		$ 1,280		$ 1,440
Note: Ratios are calculated based on underlying data in thousands.

⁽¹⁾ Days of sales outstanding (“DSO”) is based on the ending net trade receivables and most recent quarterly revenue for each period. DSO includes the effect of product costs related to customer shipments not yet recognized as revenue that are classified in the other current assets. At October 30, 2009, July 31, 2009, and October 31, 2008, DSO and days of customer shipments not yet recognized were 37 and 3 days, 38 and 4 days, 33 and 3 days, respectively.

DELL INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cashflows
(in millions, unaudited)
					Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
					October 30,		October 31,		October 30,		October 31,
					2009		2008		2009		2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income				$ 337		$ 727		$ 1,099		$ 2,127
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
		operating activities:
		Depreciation and amortization			191		194		593		573
		Stock-based compensation			65		73		211		201
		In-process research and development charges			-		-		-		2
		Effects of exchange rate changes on monetary assets and
			liabilities denominated in foreign currencies		32		(3)		58		(113)
		Deferred income taxes			58		228		(33)		209
		Provision for doubtful accounts - including financing receivables			80		85		290		199
		Other			56		(4)		75		17
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
			Accounts receivable		137		201		(456)		(241)
			Financing receivables		(177)		(47)		(556)		(28)
			Inventories		(112)		(12)		(83)		65
			Other assets		117		(175)		93		(648)
			Accounts payable		233		(1,664)		1,551		(1,992)
			Deferred enhanced services revenue		(4)		19		36		424
			Accrued and other liabilities		(212)		292		(240)		370
			Change in cash from operating activities		801		(86)		2,638		1,165
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Investments:
		Purchases			(406)		(362)		(1,182)		(1,150)
		Maturities and sales			325		282		1,307		2,034
		Capital expenditures			(70)		(137)		(249)		(401)
		Proceeds from sale of facility and land			-		-		16		44
		Acquisition of business, net of cash received			-		-		(3)		(165)
			Change in cash from investing activities		(151)		(217)		(111)		362
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Repurchase of common stock				-		(415)		-		(2,866)
	Issuance of common stock under employee plans				-		11		-		79
	Issuance of commercial paper (maturity 90 days or less), net				143		153		43		253
	Proceeds from debt				257		-		1,748		1,519
	Repayments of debt				(50)		(14)		(62)		(237)
			Change in cash from financing activities		350		(265)		1,729		(1,252)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents					96		(145)		187		(129)
Change in cash and cash equivalents					1,096		(713)		4,443		146
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period					11,699		8,623		8,352		7,764
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period					$ 12,795		$ 7,910		$ 12,795		$ 7,910