Struggling US computer maker Gateway said it had lost between 18 and 19 cents a share in the fourth quarter on disappointing sales of $1.06 billion.
The company also said it is 'currently evaluating a dispute with a major partner that might result in an additional net loss of up to three cents per share for the quarter,' without providing further details. Analysts had expected the company to lose only 14 cents a share.
'We experienced softness early in the quarter, which we partially offset with aggressive promotions in December,' Gateway chairman and chief executive officer Ted Waitt said. 'While our quarterly unit volume pace gained velocity at the end of the quarter, the need to invest in spurring that demand through promotions significantly increased margin pressure.'
Gateway has been one of the harder-hit computer makers as technology markets worldwide continue to slump.
The company completly closed its Irish operations in Dublin at the end of 2001 with the loss of over 900 jobs.
