Dell Computer Corp. lost $101 million, or 4 cents per share, in the second quarter, the company said last week. The loss included a pretax charge of $742 million for impairment of assets, the closure of facilities and job reductions.
In the same quarter last year, the computer seller had a net profit of $603 million, or 22 cents a share.
Excluding charges, Dell, Round Rock, TX, had a net profit of $433 million in the quarter that ended Aug. 3.
Analysts polled by Thomson Financial/First Call expected, on average, the company to post per-share earnings of 16 cents.
In a conference call, Dell executives predicted sales will be flat, or could drop 5 percent in the third quarter.
