HP posts "solid" quarter despite leaked memo

Enterprise servers, storage and networking prove bright spot in vendor's Q2 results

HP claims it delivered a "solid" set of fiscal second-quarter numbers despite bringing their release forward by a day following a leaked memo calling for belt-tightening.

The vendor's share price bombed yesterday after a memo was leaked in which chief executive Léo Apotheker (pictured) warned top executives to expect "another tough quarter" in Q3.

However, the Q2 numbers, for the three months to 30 April, show a three per cent rise in net revenue to $31.6bn (£19.5bn) year on year, while GAAP diluted earnings per share rose 15 per cent.

Although PC sales fell five per cent year on year there were some bright spots, notably Enterprise Servers, Storage and Networking (ESSN), which achieved a 15 per cent revenue rise. HP Software also grew by 17 per cent.

Imaging and printing revenue grew by five per cent, while services revenue grew two per cent.

Breaking it down by region, revenue grew two per cent in the Americas, fell one per cent in EMEA and rose 10 per cent in Asia-Pacific.

Apotheker said: "HP executed well and delivered a solid quarter.

"Our enterprise strategy, with services at its core, is focused on higher value-added solutions. Today we are accelerating our efforts to align our services business model to our long-term strategy to deliver unprecedented value to our customers and a better return for our shareholders."

In the leaked memo, which was obtained by Bloomberg, Apotheker urged his deputies to "watch every penny and minimise hiring" and warned that the firm has "absolutely no room for profitless revenue or any discretionary expenditures".