Larry Dignan (ZDNet) submits: Dell reported third quarter earnings of $766million, or 34 cents a share, on revenue of $15.6 billion amid strongdemand for notebooks. CEO Michael Dell said the PC maker is hoping togenerate ?product lust?with better designs to grow.According to Thomson Financial, analystswere expecting earnings of 35 cents a share on revenue of $15.3billion. The company took a $50 million, or two cents a share, chargefor layoffs. That charge, however, was offset by a benefit due to lowertax rates. There was also a charge of a penny a share due to Dell?saccounting investigation. Without those one-time items, Dell would havereported earnings of 35 cents a share. In a statement Thursday,Michael Dell said the company is ?making solid progress?on itsbusiness priorities of focusing on the consumer, emerging markets,notebooks, enterprise and SMB. As for technology spending, Dell saidthat there was some caution at financial services customers, but?overall demand has been good.?Dell held its first conference call ?a 90 minute strategy session ?in a year (see transcript).On the call, Dell laid out its current state and where it sees itselfheaded. Michael Dell said the company plans on being a leading consumerbrand, grow abroad and simplify the enterprise IT experience.A good chunk of time on the call was spent onDell?s consumer strategy, which the company hopes will spark growth.Dell is hoping to generate some ?product lust.??We?re focused onproduct lust across our global brands,?said Dell.Complete Story »
Everyone enjoys receiving gifts. Unfortunately, buying holiday presents for all of your friends and family can be a major drain on your wallet. But don't worry; there are ways to reduce the burden. Here are five suggestions.Complete Story »
ConocoPhillips said Friday it has submitted a proposal to Alaskan officials to create a $30 billion pipeline from Alaska through Canada and into the lower forty-eight states.Complete Story »
Investors reacted favorably to AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson's revelation Wednesday night that Apple would release a '3G' version of the iPhone sometime in 2008. The next generation of the iPhone will be capable of surfing the web at much higher speeds than the existing version of Apple's breakthrough phone.Complete Story »
Jonathan Callahansubmits: Given the recent volatility in the market, I have slightly modified my screening process, placing slightly greater emphasis on strong topline growth, earnings consistency and clean balance sheets - the qualities of companies that tend to trade well during times of economic uncertainty.Complete Story »
