Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ)
reported first-quarter net revenue of $31.5 billion, up 8 percent year over
year, and net income of $2.3 billion, up from $1.9 billion during the same
period a year ago, representing a roughly 25 percent increase.
More significantly, HP raised its outlook for its full fiscal year, citing its
technology portfolio, leaner cost structure and accelerating momentum in the
market..
HP is expecting revenue for the full year to be $121.5 billion to $122.5
billion, up from its previous estimate of $118.0 billion to $119.0 billion. HP
expects fiscal-year earnings per share of $3.79 to $3.86, up from its previous
estimate of $3.65 to $3.75.
HP executives told analysts during a conference call following the earnings
announcement that there had been double-digit increases year over year in
printer sales, x86 servers and PCs. HP's Personal Systems Group (PSG) grew more
than 20 percent year over year, driven by notebooks and TouchSmart PCs and a 20
percent increase in the U.S. PC market, HP said. HP estimates a 4 percent gain
in market share in the commercial and consumer market.
HP said consumer and commercial printer shipments grew by 18 percent and 11
percent respectively during the quarter. Wireless printer sales doubled while
ink in office products tripled and supplies revenue grew 4 percent over the
same period a year ago, CEO Mark Hurd told analysts during the conference call.
"We worked real hard on IPG [HP's printing unit] in 2009, and in a strange way I
think 2009 was a blessing for us," Hurd told analysts. "It really got
us operationally focused and, obviously, as you can see by the unit growth,
probably our best unit growth number in a long time."
Hurd noted that the company probably could have sold more laser printers and
ink units in the quarter, but did its best to handle the demand that was there.
Wireless printer demand was also high.
"We've had tremendous demand in the wireless segment," he said.
"The wireless segment roughly doubled."
Hurd told analysts that HP expects supplies growth to continue in low to middle
single digits during the fiscal year.
As for the services business, Hurd said it saw a decline of 1 percent from the
same period a year ago while services operating profits grew 21 percent over
the same period a year ago. The software business remained flat but saw a 3
percent margin increase. Financing grew 13 percent and delivered double-digit
return on equity, Hurd said.
Looking ahead to the second quarter, HP expects revenue of $29.4 billion to
$29.7 billion and diluted earnings per share in the range of 89 cents to 91
cents.
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Hewlett-Packard 
