Kicking off earnings season, Intel beats expectations

Intel gave tech investors a present today as it announced revenues and earnings that beat expectations. The report has broader implications for the larger technology market, since Intel is the world’s biggest chip maker and is a bellwether for the computer industry.

For the fourth quarter, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company reported revenue of $10.6 billion, up 13 percent from the third quarter and 28 percent from a year ago (the largest percentage increase in more than a decade). Net income was $2.3 billion, up 23 percent from the third quarter and 875 percent from a year ago. Earnings per share were 40 cents, up from 33 cents in the third quarter and 4 cents a year ago.

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Analysts had expected revenues of $10.2 billion and earnings of 30 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters. For the year, revenue was $35.1 billion, down 7 percent from a year earlier. Net income was $4.4 billion, down 17 percent from a year ago. Earnings per share were 77 cents, down 15 cents from a year ago. The quarter included a $1.25 billion payment to Advanced Micro Devices to settle an antitrust suit.

Intel also beat earnings goals last quarter.

Intel chief executive Paul Otellini said in a statement that the results reflect Intel’s investments in manufacturing and product innovation. Indeed, the chip maker continued to invest in factories and new manufacturing processes even during the difficult economic times.

The news should be welcomed on Wall Street. Last week, at the Consumer Electronics Show, Intel introduced 25 new microprocessors, including many based on its 32-nanometer manufacturing process. The only cloud on the horizon remains its antitrust troubles; the Federal Trade Commission, among others, has launched an antitrust case against Intel.

Intel closed the quarter with 79,800 employees, down from 83,900 a year ago. In a statement, Intel chief financial officer Stacy Smith said that consumer demand and inventory have returned to normal levels, after huge drops a year ago and in the first quarter of 2009. Average prices for microprocessors were up in the quarter, and the overall financial performance was one of the best quarters ever in terms of profits. Sales in all territories grew.

Sales of Intel’s Atom processors, which are used in netbooks (smaller than laptops, meant for web surfing), were up 6 percent from the third quarter.

For the first quarter, revenue is expected to be $9.7 billion, plus or minus $400 million. The midpoint of this range would be a decrease of 8 percent from the fourth quarter, which is consistent with the average historical seasonal decrease. Gross profit margin is expected to be 61 percent, plus or minus two points.