Intel profit slips, but outlook brightens
Intel's fourth-quarter profit fell 2 percent despite record sales and strong holiday demand for computer chips as it worked to reduce a massive inventory buildup from earlier in the year, the company said Tuesday.
.
Intel, the world's largest maker of chips that are at the heart of personal computers, said it saw strengthening demand for microprocessors as well as flash memory, which is used primarily in cellphones.
.
The company also issued a slightly rosier-than-expected outlook for the first quarter of 2005, saying sales should range between $8.8 billion and $9.4 billion.
.
"We ended 2004 with record revenues and robust demand for Intel architecture products across all geographies and channels," said Craig Barrett, Intel's chief executive. "Our investments in manufacturing capacity, innovative new products and global presence have allowed us to post double-digit gains in both revenue and profits two years in a row."
.
