Sun's revenues cloud over

Sun Microsystems today reported sales of $2.843bn for its 2005 fiscal second quarter, ending 26 December, a decrease of 1.6 per cent compared with $2.888bn for the same period a year ago.

A ray of sunshine came in the form of a small net profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2005, which came in at $19m as compared to a net loss of $125m in the previous year.

The firm pointed out that the Q2 fiscal 2005 profit includes a charge of $24m for "previously announced workforce and real estate restructuring", a $9m gain on equity investments, and a $6m benefit for related tax effects.

Excluding these amounts, net income for Q2 fiscal 2005 on a non-GAAP basis was $28m, compared with a net loss, on a non-GAAP basis, in Q2 fiscal 2004 of $99m or a net loss of $0.03 per share.

Cash generated from operating activities was reported at $52m for the quarter, and the cash and marketable debt securities balance increased to $7.464bn.

The second quarter delivered "many positives", including x64 and x86 server unit volume growth, according to Sun chairman and chief executive Scott McNealy.

Steve McGowan, Sun's chief financial officer and executive vice president, corporate resources, added: "We are pleased with our progress this quarter towards achieving our key financial goals.

"On a year-over-year basis, we increased our gross margin percentage, improved productivity by reducing R&D and SG&A expenses by $136m and continued to generate positive cash flow from operations."