PALO ALTO, Calif.--Aug. 16, 2001-- Hewlett-Packard Company today reported financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2001. The company reported third quarter revenue of $10.1 billion, compared to $11.8 billion in last year's third quarter, a decrease of 14% as reported (10% before the effects of foreign currency). Pro forma earnings per share (EPS) on a diluted basis from continuing operations was 11 cents, compared to pro forma EPS on the same basis of 50 cents in the prior-year period. Pro forma earnings this quarter excluded $49 million of amortization of goodwill and other intangibles, as well as a $131 million non-recurring pre-tax loss from the sale of VeriFone. Actual EPS on a diluted basis was 5 cents per share on approximately 2 billion shares of common stock and equivalents outstanding. This is before a 1 cent extraordinary gain on extinguished debt. Diluted EPS from continuing operations for the same period last year was 50 cents. HP's overall gross margin was 25.9%, up from 25.3% last quarter. Expenses were down 5% sequentially on a pro forma basis. "We are managing through what is clearly a significant global economic downturn -- and our results reflect this tough environment,'' said Carly Fiorina, chairman and chief executive officer. "However, we are seeing positive signs that our efforts to transform our business and improve our execution are gaining traction, and we continue to make strategic moves to fuel growth. "We are effectively controlling short-term expenses thanks to the efforts of HP employees, and continuing to manage our inventory down. We're also taking decisive actions to create market-leading cost structures and improve our ability to respond to rapidly changing market conditions. "In the enterprise channel we're receiving positive customer and partner feedback to our 'hard deck' sales engagement program. While we have more work to do, we are without question seeing a higher level of channel interest and engagement with HP. "We are also continuing to take important strategic steps to build our business. Recently we announced plans to acquire Comdisco's Continuity Business, StorageApps and Trinagy Inc. -- all in growth areas we've targeted for investment. At the same time, we're divesting non-strategic assets, having completed the sale of VeriFone in the quarter.'' HP's consumer business was particularly hard hit by the global economic malaise, with revenues down 21% year over year, against a very tough compare. Despite these difficult market conditions, HP's consumer business continues to be profitable, maintaining or gaining share in almost every category. HP also retained its No. 1 worldwide home PC position, showing strong growth in Europe with a 67% increase in revenue compared to a year ago, and moving into the No. 2 market position in consumer notebooks worldwide. Overall revenues in HP's business sector declined 11% year over year and 8% sequentially. However, HP Superdome servers, HP's high-end UNIX offering, continued to experience solid revenue growth signaling the company's solutions selling approach is gaining momentum. HP's consulting, outsourcing and support businesses posted revenue growth which outpaced competitors. "Simply stated, we're staying focused on our strategy, resolutely managing our way through this economic downturn, and improving our execution so that we emerge a stronger, more focused competitor whenever the economy rebounds,'' said Fiorina. "Looking forward, while market conditions remain far too dynamic to predict outcomes, we expect to see some sequential revenue growth in Q4 due to seasonal effects with gross margins and expenses essentially flat on a sequential basis.'' Workforce Reduction As announced on July 26, the company has implemented a workforce reduction program that is intended to eliminate approximately 6,000 jobs and result in an annualized savings of about $500 million. HP expects to take a restructuring charge in the range of $250 million to $300 million. Under the plan, the vast majority of the 6,000 people impacted will exit the company by the end of October. Business Segment Results Imaging and Printing Systems The imaging and printing systems segment includes laser and inkjet printers, imaging devices and associated supplies. Revenues overall for the segment declined 10% year over year (8% in local currency). Results were impacted by economic weakness in all regions and continued decline in average selling prices. HP LaserJet hardware revenue declined 12% year over year and Inkjet printer revenue declined 31% year over year. Despite these declines, HP maintained or gained share in all key printer hardware categories. Supplies revenues were essentially flat against an exceptionally strong compare of 30% growth in last year's Q3. Imaging systems revenue, which includes digital cameras, photo printers, scanners and all-in-one devices, declined 3% year over year. Weak scanner sales and declining ASPs offset strong unit growth of 330% in digital cameras and 41% for all-in-one devices. Operating margin for the IPS segment was 8.9%, compared to12.4% in the same period last year, and 10.9% last quarter (adjusted for inventory and capacity write-downs). Computing Systems The computing systems segment includes a broad range of Internet infrastructure systems and solutions for businesses and professionals, including workstations, desktops, notebooks, UNIX® and PC servers, storage and software solutions. Overall revenues for the segment declined 22% year over year (18% in local currency). UNIX server revenue was down 22% year over year and down 3% sequentially. Overall margins in the UNIX server business remain healthy, due in large part to the 45% sequential growth in HP Superdome server revenues. PC server revenues declined 29% and commercial desktops declined 23% from the same period last year. While home PC revenues declined 36% year over year due primarily to weak demand and associated pricing pressures in North America, HP retained its leading position in this market. Additionally, notebooks experienced revenue growth of 5% and meaningful market share gains worldwide. Revenues in HP's storage business declined 12% driven largely by overall weakness in the UNIX sector and a slower sales ramp for HP's new mid-range products. Revenues in HP's XP512 high-end disk array line were down 6% year over year. Revenues in HP's software business were down 16% year over year. Revenues for HP OpenView services management software were down 6% year over year as a result of the overall weakness in the UNIX sector. Operating margin in the computing systems segment was a negative 4.5%, compared to a positive 8.0% for the same period last year and negative 2.8% for the last quarter. IT Services Within the IT Services segment, HP's consulting business achieved 16% growth in local currency year over year, 9% in U.S. dollars. Outsourcing revenues were up 27% in local currency year over year, 20% in U.S. dollars, and support grew 10% in local currency year over year and 5% in U.S. dollars. Revenues overall for the IT Services segment, which includes HP's Financial and Complements Group (FCG), grew 9% in local currency year over year and 3% in U.S. dollars, driven by an 8% decline in revenues for FCG as a result of management decisions to refocus the business. FCG posted a loss for the quarter and was the primary contributor to the decrease in operating margin. Operating margin for IT Services was 1.9%, compared to 8.1% for the same period last year and 6.0% for the last quarter. Costs and Expenses Cost of goods sold this quarter was 74.1% of net revenue, down from 74.7% last quarter. Operating expenses declined 5% sequentially and were up 2% year over year on a pro forma basis. Operating expenses were 24.0% of net revenue compared to 22.0% for last quarter on a pro forma basis. Asset Management Return on assets for the quarter was 6.6% on a pro forma basis, compared to 8.9% for last quarter. Inventory was down approximately $200 million from last quarter and was 11.7% of revenue, flat compared with last quarter. Trade receivables were 10.4% of revenue compared to 11.7% in the previous quarter. Net property, plant and equipment was 9.8% of revenue compared to 9.4% last quarter.