US personal computer giant Dell posted a 63% decline in quarterly net profit overnight and said it will continue to keep a close eye on costs in a 'still challenging' environment.
Dell said net profit fell to $290m, or 15 cents per share, in the first quarter of its fiscal year from $784m, or 38 cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago.
Wall Street analysts had forecast earnings of 23 cents per share.
Revenue declined 23% during the February-April period to $12.3 billion, the Texas-based company said, slightly lower than the $12.7 billion forecast by analysts.
Dell managed to keep expenses in line with expectations despite costs of recent restructuring.
Dell reported that revenue from sales of home or personal computers in its 'consumer' category was $2.8 billion, a 16% drop from the same quarter last year.
1,900 workers are to lose their jobs with the closure of Dell's plant in Raheen in Limerick, while a further 250 positions will go in Cherrywood in Dublin.
