Dell slump better than feared

Computer maker Dell yesterday reported that its quarterly profits had fallen by almost two-thirds as the worldwide recession continues to hit sales of computers. The world’s second-largest maker of personal computers made a net profit of $290m (£182m) in the three months to 1 May, down 63 per cent from $784m a year ago. Revenues at the firm fell 23 per cent to $12.3bn, but the results were better than analysts feared. The group said it was focusing on cutting costs and had already reduced its global workforce by more than 9,000 positions over the past year.