Acer running faster to stand still in Q2

Shipments going up but revenue coming down as economic climate bites Taiwanese vendor

Acer had to swallow a sequential decrease in revenue in 2012's second quarter, despite a continuing rise in shipment volumes.

For the three months to the end of June, the vendor's revenue stood at $3.7bn (£2.3bn). This represents an 8.3 per cent spike on the corresponding period last year, but a sequential decline of 2.2 per cent. Operating profit stood at $14.5m, more than three times the figure posted in Q1.

Operating margins have improved from the 0.1 per cent posted last quarter, but still stood at a positively waiflike 0.4 per cent. In a statement, the vendor explained that shipment growth was not being matched by top-line expansion. But better times lie ahead, predicted Acer, once Windows 8 hits the shelves later this year.

"Although Acer maintained growth in PC shipments, the Q2 consolidated revenue declined over Q1 due to the worldwide total PC market downturn from Q1 to Q2, and unfavorable economic conditions in Europe, the US, China and Asia-Pacific that resulted in weaker consumer demand," said the statement.

"Acer will start shipping products for the launch of Microsoft Windows 8 in August and September, and therefore anticipates revenue to rebound, and consequently expects Q3 revenue to reach about on par with Q2."