(By Balachander) Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) reported a fall in quarterly earnings and revenue as macro-economic concerns continue to mute growth and recovery in the semiconductor sector. In extended trading, shares retreated 2.19 percent. Results, however, topped market expectations.
The world's largest chip maker earned 60 cents a share on a non-GAAP basis, down 12 percent from the year-ago quarter. Net earnings fell 14.2 percent to $2.97 billion.
Revenue declined 5.5 percent to $13.5 billion.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters on average expected earnings of 50 cents per share on a revenue drop of 7.10 percent for the third quarter.
The company last month withdrew its full-year forecast, citing softness in the enterprise PC market segment and slowing demand in emerging markets.
Non-GAAP gross margin was flat at 64.3 percent with the same period of last year, and shrank from 64.4 percent on a sequential basis.
Intel's PC client group revenue dropped 8 percent and "other" Intel architecture group revenue also fell 14 percent. Data center group revenue rose 6 percent.
Operating expenses jumped 10.4 percent and research and development and marketing, general and administrative expenses increased 11 percent.
Looking ahead for the fourth quarter, Santa Clara, California-based Intel sees GAAP revenue of around $13.6 billion, versus analysts forecasts of $13.78 billion.
For the preceding second quarter, Intel earned 57 cents a share on revenue of $13.5 billion.
INTC closed Tuesday's regular trading session at $22.35. The stock has been trading in a 52-week range between $21.40 and $29.27.