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Dell Technologies Delivers First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results

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Dell Technologies Delivers First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results

News summary

  • First quarter revenue of $22.2 billion, up 6% year over year
  • Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) revenue of $9.2 billion, up 22% year over year, with record servers and networking revenue of $5.5 billion, up 42%
  • Client Solutions Group (CSG) revenue of $12.0 billion, flat year over year, with commercial client revenue at $10.2 billion, up 3%
  • Diluted earnings per share of $1.32, up 67% year over year, and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $1.27, down 3%

ROUND ROCK, Texas, May 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —

Full story

Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) announces financial results for its fiscal 2025 first quarter. Revenue was $22.2 billion, up 6% year over year. Operating income was $920 million and non-GAAP operating income was $1.5 billion, down 14% and 8% year over year, respectively. Cash flow from operations was $1.0 billion. Diluted earnings per share was $1.32, and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.27, up 67% and down 3% year over year, respectively.

Dell returned $1.1 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends and ended the quarter with $7.3 billion in cash and investments.

“We again demonstrated our ability to execute and deliver strong cash flow, with AI continuing to drive new growth,” said Yvonne McGill, chief financial officer, Dell Technologies. “Revenue was up 6% at $22.2 billion, servers and networking revenue was up 42%, and we generated $7.9 billion of cash flow from operations over the last 12 months.”

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First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results


Three Months Ended




May 3, 2024


May 5, 2023


Change

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(in millions, except per share amounts
and percentages; unaudited)







Net revenue

$          22,244


$           20,922


6 %

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Operating income

$               920


$             1,069


(14) %

Net income

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$               955


$                578


65 %

Change in cash from operating activities

$            1,043

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$             1,777


(41) %

Earnings per share – diluted

$              1.32


$               0.79

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67 %







Non-GAAP operating income

$            1,474


$             1,598


(8) %

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Non-GAAP net income

$               923


$                963


(4) %

Adjusted free cash flow

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$               623


$                687


(9) %

Non-GAAP earnings per share – diluted

$              1.27

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$               1.31


(3) %


Information about Dell Technologies’ use of non-GAAP financial information is provided under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. All comparisons in this press release are year-over-year unless otherwise noted.

Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) delivered first quarter revenue of $9.2 billion, up 22% year over year. Servers and networking revenue was a record $5.5 billion, up 42%, with demand strength across AI and traditional servers. Storage revenue was flat at $3.8 billion. Operating income was $736 million.

Client Solutions Group (CSG) delivered first quarter revenue of $12.0 billion, flat year over year. Commercial client revenue was $10.2 billion, up 3% year over year, and Consumer revenue was $1.8 billion, down 15%. Operating income was $732 million.

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“No company is better positioned than Dell to bring AI to the enterprise,” said Jeff Clarke, vice chairman and chief operating officer, Dell Technologies. “Servers and networking hit record revenue in Q1, with our AI-optimized server orders increasing sequentially to $2.6 billion, shipments up more than 100% to $1.7 billion, and backlog growing more than 30% to $3.8 billion.”

Dell Technologies World

On May 20, Dell expanded the industry’s broadest AI solutions portfolio from desktop to data center to cloud with innovations designed to accelerate AI adoption and innovation:

  • The Dell AI Factory combines Dell infrastructure, solutions and services optimized for AI workloads with an open ecosystem of partners including NVIDIA, Meta, Microsoft and Hugging Face.
  • The Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA includes the new PowerEdge XE9680L server, which offers direct liquid cooling in a 4U form factor and can support 72 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs in a single rack – 33% more GPU density per node compared to the XE9680.
  • Dell PowerStore software updates give customers up to a 66% performance boost, native sync replication for file and block and improved multicloud data mobility capabilities.
  • New AI PCs are Copilot+ and powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon® X Elite and Snapdragon® X Plus processors, delivering exceptional battery life and AI performance.

Operating Segments Results


Three Months Ended




May 3, 2024

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May 5, 2023


Change


(in millions, except percentages;
unaudited)

Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG):






Net revenue:

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Servers and networking

$         5,466


$       3,837


42 %

Storage

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3,761


3,756


— %

Total ISG net revenue

$         9,227

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$       7,593


22 %







Operating Income:






ISG operating income

$            736

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$          740


(1) %

% of ISG net revenue

8.0 %


9.7 %

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% of total reportable segment operating income

50 %


45 %









Client Solutions Group (CSG):






Net revenue:

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Commercial

$       10,154


$       9,862


3 %

Consumer

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1,813


2,121


(15) %

Total CSG net revenue

$       11,967

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$     11,983


— %







Operating Income:






CSG operating income

$            732

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$          892


(18) %

% of CSG net revenue

6.1 %


7.4 %

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% of total reportable segment operating income

50 %


55 %



Conference call information

As previously announced, the company will hold a conference call to discuss its performance and financial guidance on May 30 at 3:30 p.m. CDT. Prior to the start of the conference call, prepared remarks and a presentation containing additional financial and operating information prior to financial guidance may be downloaded from investors.delltechnologies.com. The conference call will be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed at https://investors.delltechnologies.com/news-events/upcoming-events.

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For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, the final remarks and presentation with financial guidance will be available following the broadcast, and an archived version will be available at the same location for one year.

About Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) helps organizations and individuals build their digital future and transform how they work, live and play. The company provides customers with the industry’s broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio for the AI era.

Copyright © 2024 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. Dell Technologies, Dell, EMC and Dell EMC are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

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This press release presents information about non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income attributable to Dell Technologies Inc., non-GAAP earnings per share attributable to Dell Technologies Inc. – diluted, free cash flow, and adjusted free cash flow, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures provided as a supplement to the results provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). A reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is provided in the attached tables for each of the fiscal periods indicated.

Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements:

Statements in this press release that relate to future results and events are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and are based on Dell Technologies’ current expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by such forward-looking words as “anticipate,” “believe,” “confidence,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “should,” “will” and “would,” or similar words or expressions that refer to future events or outcomes.

Dell Technologies’ results or events in future periods could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements because of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that include, but are not limited to, the following: adverse global economic conditions and instability in financial markets; competitive pressures; Dell Technologies’ reliance on third-party suppliers for products and components, including reliance on single-source or limited-source suppliers; Dell Technologies’ ability to achieve favorable pricing from its vendors; Dell Technologies’ execution of its strategy; social and ethical issues relating to the use of new and evolving technologies; Dell Technologies’ ability to manage solutions and products and services transitions in an effective manner; Dell Technologies’ ability to deliver high-quality products, software, and services; cyber attacks or other data security incidents; Dell Technologies’ ability to successfully execute on strategic initiatives including acquisitions, divestitures or cost savings measures; Dell Technologies’ foreign operations and ability to generate substantial non-U.S. net revenue; Dell Technologies’ product, services, customer, and geographic sales mix, and seasonal sales trends; the performance of Dell Technologies’ sales channel partners; access to the capital markets by Dell Technologies or its customers; material impairment of the value of goodwill or intangible assets; adverse economic conditions and the effect of additional regulation on Dell Technologies’ financial services activities; counterparty default risks; the loss by Dell Technologies of any contracts for ISG services and solutions and its ability to perform such contracts at their estimated costs; loss by Dell Technologies of government contracts; Dell Technologies’ ability to develop and protect its proprietary intellectual property or obtain licenses to intellectual property developed by others on commercially reasonable and competitive terms; disruptions in Dell Technologies’ infrastructure; Dell Technologies’ ability to hedge effectively its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; expiration of tax holidays or favorable tax rate structures, or unfavorable outcomes in tax audits and other tax compliance matters; impairment of portfolio investments; unfavorable results of legal proceedings; expectations relating to environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations; compliance requirements of changing environmental and safety laws, human rights laws, or other laws; the effect of armed hostilities, terrorism, natural disasters, or public health issues; the effect of global climate change and legal, regulatory, or market measures to address climate change; Dell Technologies’ dependence on the services of Michael Dell and key employees; Dell Technologies’ level of indebtedness; and business and financial factors and legal restrictions affecting continuation of Dell Technologies’ quarterly cash dividend policy and dividend rate.

This list of risks, uncertainties, and other factors is not complete. Dell Technologies discusses some of these matters more fully, as well as certain risk factors that could affect Dell Technologies’ business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, in its reports filed with the SEC, including Dell Technologies’ annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2024, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. These filings are available for review through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Any or all forward-looking statements Dell Technologies makes may turn out to be wrong and can be affected by inaccurate assumptions Dell Technologies might make or by known or unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those identified in this press release. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements made in this press release, which speak only as of its date. Dell Technologies does not undertake to update, and expressly disclaims any duty to update, its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of circumstances or events that arise after the date they are made, new information, or otherwise.

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DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Related Financial Highlights

(in millions, except percentages; unaudited)



Three Months Ended




May 3, 2024

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May 5, 2023


Change

Net revenue:






Products

$    16,127

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$    15,036


7 %

Services

6,117


5,886

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4 %

Total net revenue

22,244


20,922


6 %

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Cost of net revenue:






Products

13,766


12,375


11 %

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Services

3,672


3,529


4 %

Total cost of net revenue

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17,438


15,904


10 %

Gross margin

4,806

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5,018


(4) %

Operating expenses:






Selling, general, and administrative

3,123

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3,261


(4) %

Research and development

763


688

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11 %

Total operating expenses

3,886


3,949


(2) %

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Operating income

920


1,069


(14) %

Interest and other, net

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(373)


(364)


(2) %

Income before income taxes

547

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705


(22) %

Income tax expense (benefit)

(408)


127

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(421) %

Net income

955


578


65 %

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Net income attributable to Dell Technologies Inc.

$          960


$          583


65 %







Percentage of Total Net Revenue:

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Gross margin

21.6 %


24.0 %



Selling, general, and administrative

14.1 %

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15.6 %



Research and development

3.4 %


3.3 %



Operating expenses

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17.5 %


18.9 %



Operating income

4.1 %


5.1 %

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Income before income taxes

2.5 %


3.4 %



Net income

4.3 %

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2.8 %



Income tax rate

(74.6) %


18.0 %




Amounts are based on underlying data and may not visually foot due to rounding.

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DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(in millions; unaudited)



May 3, 2024


February 2, 2024

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ASSETS

Current assets:




Cash and cash equivalents

$                           5,830


$                           7,366

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Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $66 and $71

8,563


9,343

Short-term financing receivables, net of allowance of $86 and $79

4,660

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4,643

Inventories

4,782


3,622

Other current assets

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10,792


10,973

Total current assets

34,627


35,947

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Property, plant, and equipment, net

6,237


6,432

Long-term investments

1,293

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1,316

Long-term financing receivables, net of allowance of $109 and $91

5,941


5,877

Goodwill

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19,640


19,700

Intangible assets, net

5,538


5,701

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Other non-current assets

6,914


7,116

Total assets

$                         80,190

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$                         82,089





LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:




Short-term debt

$                           6,098

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$                           6,982

Accounts payable

20,586


19,389

Accrued and other

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6,016


6,805

Short-term deferred revenue

15,034


15,318

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Total current liabilities

47,734


48,494

Long-term debt

19,382

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19,012

Long-term deferred revenue

13,116


13,827

Other non-current liabilities

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2,681


3,065

Total liabilities

82,913


84,398

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Stockholders’ equity (deficit):




Total Dell Technologies Inc. stockholders’ equity (deficit)

(2,822)


(2,404)

Non-controlling interests

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99


95

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

(2,723)


(2,309)

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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$                         80,190


$                         82,089

DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

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(in millions; unaudited)



Three Months Ended


May 3, 2024


May 5, 2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

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Net income

$                  955


$                  578

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

88

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1,199

Change in cash from operating activities

1,043


1,777

Cash flows from investing activities:

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Purchases of investments

(39)


(15)

Maturities and sales of investments

119

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19

Capital expenditures and capitalized software development costs

(596)


(701)

Other

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60


13

Change in cash from investing activities

(456)


(684)

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Cash flows from financing activities:




Proceeds from the issuance of common stock


2

Repurchases of common stock

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(700)


(240)

Repurchases of common stock for employee tax withholdings

(521)


(306)

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Payments of dividends and dividend equivalents

(336)


(276)

Proceeds from debt

2,992

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2,521

Repayments of debt

(3,477)


(3,698)

Debt-related costs and other, net

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(35)


(5)

Change in cash from financing activities

(2,077)


(2,002)

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Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(55)


(58)

Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(1,545)

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(967)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the period

7,507


8,894

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period

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$               5,962


$               7,927

DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Segment Information

(in millions, except percentages; unaudited; continued on next page)

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Three Months Ended




May 3, 2024


May 5, 2023


Change

Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG):

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Net revenue:






Servers and networking

$      5,466


$      3,837


42 %

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Storage

3,761


3,756


— %

Total ISG net revenue

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$      9,227


$      7,593


22 %







Operating Income:






ISG operating income

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$         736


$         740


(1) %

% of ISG net revenue

8.0 %

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9.7 %



% of total reportable segment operating income

50 %


45 %









Client Solutions Group (CSG):

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Net revenue:






Commercial

$   10,154


$      9,862


3 %

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Consumer

1,813


2,121


(15) %

Total CSG net revenue

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$   11,967


$    11,983


— %







Operating Income:






CSG operating income

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$         732


$         892


(18) %

% of CSG net revenue

6.1 %

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7.4 %



% of total reportable segment operating income

50 %


55 %




Amounts are based on underlying data and may not visually foot due to rounding.

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DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Segment Information

(in millions, except percentages; unaudited; continued)



Three Months Ended


May 3, 2024

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May 5, 2023

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenue:



Reportable segment net revenue

$              21,194


$              19,576

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Other businesses (a)

1,049


1,343

Unallocated transactions (b)

1

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3

Total consolidated net revenue

$              22,244


$              20,922





Reconciliation to consolidated operating income:

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Reportable segment operating income

$                 1,468


$                 1,632

Other businesses (a)

6

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(36)

Unallocated transactions (b)


2

Amortization of intangibles (c)

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(168)


(203)

Stock-based compensation expense (d)

(210)


(225)

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Other corporate expenses (e)

(176)


(101)

Total consolidated operating income

$                    920

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$                 1,069

_________________

(a)   

Other businesses consists of: 1) Dell’s resale of standalone VMware, Inc. products and services, “VMware Resale,” 2) Secureworks, and 3) Virtustream, and do not meet the requirements for a reportable segment, either individually or collectively.

(b) 

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Unallocated transactions includes other corporate items that are not allocated to Dell Technologies’ reportable segments.

(c)

Amortization of intangibles includes non-cash purchase accounting adjustments that are primarily related to the EMC merger transaction.

(d) 

Stock-based compensation expense consists of equity awards granted based on the estimated fair value of those awards at grant date.

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(e)   

Other corporate expenses consist primarily of severance expenses, payroll taxes associated with stock-based compensation, facility action costs, transaction-related expenses, impairment charges, and incentive charges related to equity investments. 

SUPPLEMENTAL SELECTED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

These tables present information about the Company’s non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income attributable to Dell Technologies Inc., non-GAAP earnings per share attributable to Dell Technologies Inc. – diluted, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures provided as a supplement to the results provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). A detailed discussion of Dell Technologies’ reasons for including these non-GAAP financial measures, the limitations associated with these measures, the items excluded from these measures, and our reason for excluding those items are presented in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in our periodic reports filed with the SEC. Dell Technologies encourages investors to review the non-GAAP discussion in these reports in conjunction with the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures.

DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

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Selected Financial Measures

(in millions, except per share amounts and percentages; unaudited)



Three Months Ended




May 3, 2024


May 5, 2023

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% Change

Net revenue

$   22,244


$    20,922


6 %

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Non-GAAP gross margin

$     4,947


$      5,164


(4) %

% of net revenue

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22.2 %


24.7 %



Non-GAAP operating expenses

$      3,473


$      3,566

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(3) %

% of net revenue

15.6 %


17.1 %



Non-GAAP operating income

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$      1,474


$      1,598


(8) %

% of net revenue

6.6 %

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7.6 %



Non-GAAP net income

$         923


$         963


(4) %

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% of net revenue

4.1 %


4.6 %



Non-GAAP earnings per share – diluted

$        1.27

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$        1.31


(3) %


Amounts are based on underlying data and may not visually foot due to rounding.

DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Reconciliation of Selected Non-GAAP Financial Measures

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(in millions, except percentages; unaudited; continued on next page)



Three Months Ended




May 3, 2024


May 5, 2023


% Change

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Gross margin

$         4,806


$         5,018


(4) %

Non-GAAP adjustments:

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Amortization of intangibles

60


79



Stock-based compensation expense

38

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38



Other corporate expenses

43


29



Non-GAAP gross margin

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$         4,947


$         5,164


(4) %







Operating expenses

$         3,886

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$         3,949


(2) %

Non-GAAP adjustments:






Amortization of intangibles

(108)

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(124)



Stock-based compensation expense

(172)


(187)



Other corporate expenses

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(133)


(72)



Non-GAAP operating expenses

$         3,473


$         3,566

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(3) %







Operating income

$            920


$         1,069


(14) %

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Non-GAAP adjustments:






Amortization of intangibles

168


203



Stock-based compensation expense

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210


225



Other corporate expenses

176


101

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Non-GAAP operating income

$         1,474


$         1,598


(8) %







Net income

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$            955


$            578


65 %

Non-GAAP adjustments:






Amortization of intangibles

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168


203



Stock-based compensation expense

210


225

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Other corporate expenses

170


98



Fair value adjustments on equity investments

30

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15



Aggregate adjustment for income taxes (a)

(610)


(156)



Non-GAAP net income

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$            923


$            963


(4) %

____________________

(a) 

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Beginning in Fiscal 2025, our non-GAAP income tax is calculated using a fixed estimated annual tax rate.

DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Reconciliation of Selected Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(unaudited; continued)



Three Months Ended

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May 3, 2024


May 5, 2023


% Change

Earnings per share attributable to Dell Technologies, Inc. — diluted

$           1.32

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$           0.79


67 %

Non-GAAP adjustments:






Amortization of intangibles

0.23

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0.28



Stock-based compensation expense

0.29


0.30



Other corporate expenses

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0.24


0.13



Fair value adjustments on equity investments

0.04


0.02

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Aggregate adjustment for income taxes (a)

(0.84)


(0.21)



Total non-GAAP adjustments attributable to non-controlling interests

(0.01)

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Non-GAAP earnings per share attributable to Dell Technologies, Inc. — diluted

$           1.27


$           1.31


(3) %

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____________________

(a)

Beginning in Fiscal 2025, our non-GAAP income tax is calculated using a fixed estimated annual tax rate.

DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Reconciliation of Selected Non-GAAP Financial Measures

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(in millions, except percentages; unaudited; continued)




Three Months Ended





May 3, 2024


May 5, 2023


% Change

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Cash flow from operations


$        1,043


$        1,777


(41) %

Non-GAAP adjustments:

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Capital expenditures and capitalized software development costs, net (a)


(586)


(698)



Free cash flow


$            457

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$        1,079


(58) %








Free cash flow


$            457


$        1,079

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(58) %

Non-GAAP adjustments:







Financing receivables (b)


165


(367)

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Equipment under operating leases (c)


1


(25)



Adjusted free cash flow


$            623

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$            687


(9) %

____________________

(a) 

Capital expenditures and capitalized software development costs is net of proceeds from sales of facilities, land, and other assets.

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(b)

Financing receivables represent the operating cash flow impact from the change in DFS financing receivables.

(c)

Equipment under operating leases represents the net change of capital expenditures and depreciation expense for DFS leases and contractually embedded leases identified within flexible consumption arrangements.

SOURCE Dell Technologies

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Finance

Lawmakers target ‘free money’ home equity finance model

Published

on

Lawmakers target ‘free money’ home equity finance model

Key points:

  • Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill that would classify home equity investments (HEIs) and shared equity contracts as residential mortgages.
  • Industry leaders have mobilized through a newly formed trade group to influence how HEIs are regulated.
  • The outcome could reshape underwriting standards, return structures and capital markets strategy for HEI providers.

A fast-growing home equity financing model that promises homeowners cash without monthly payments is facing mounting scrutiny from state lawmakers — and the industry behind it is mobilizing to shape the outcome.

In Pennsylvania, House Bill 2120 would classify shared equity contracts — often marketed as home equity investments (HEIs), shared appreciation agreements or home equity agreements — as residential mortgages under state law.

While the proposal is still in committee, the debate unfolding in Harrisburg reflects a broader national effort to determine whether these products are truly a new category of equity-based investment — or if they function as mortgages and belong under existing consumer lending laws.

A classification fight over home equity capture

HB 2120 would amend Pennsylvania’s Loan Interest and Protection Law by explicitly including shared appreciation agreements in the residential mortgage definition. If passed, shared equity contracts would be subject to the same interest caps, licensing standards and consumer protections that apply to traditional mortgage lending.

The legislation was introduced by Rep. Arvind Venkat after constituent Wendy Gilch — a fellow with the consumer watchdog Consumer Policy Center — brought concerns to his office. Gilch has since worked with Venkat as a partner in shaping the proposal.

Gilch initially began examining the products after seeing advertisements describe them as offering cash with “no debt,” “no interest” and “no monthly payments.”

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“It sounds like free money,” she said. “But in many cases, you’re giving up a growing share of your home’s equity over time.”

Breaking down the debate

Shared equity providers (SEPs) argue that their products are not loans. Instead of charging interest or requiring monthly payments, companies provide homeowners with a lump sum in exchange for a share of the home’s future appreciation, which is typically repaid when the home is sold or refinanced.

The Coalition for Home Equity Partnership (CHEP) — an industry-led group founded in 2025 by Hometap, Point and Unlock — emphasizes that shared equity products have zero monthly payments or interest, no minimum income requirements and no personal liability if a home’s value declines.

Venkat, however, argues that the mechanics look familiar and argues that “transactions secured by homes should include transparency and consumer protections” — especially since, for many many Americans, their home is their most valuable asset. 

“These agreements involve appraisals, liens, closing costs and defined repayment triggers,” he said. “If it looks like a mortgage and functions like a mortgage, it should be treated like one.”

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The bill sits within Pennsylvania’s anti-usury framework, which caps returns on home-secured lending in the mid-single digits. Venkat said he’s been told by industry representatives that they require returns approaching 18-20% to make the model viable — particularly if contracts are later resold to outside investors. According to CHEP, its members provide scenario-based disclosures showing potential outcomes under varying assumptions, with the final cost depending on future home values and term length.

In a statement shared with Real Estate News, CHEP President Cliff Andrews said the group supports comprehensive regulation of shared equity products but argues that automatically classifying them as mortgages applies a framework “that was never designed for, and cannot meaningfully be applied to, equity-based financing instruments.”

As currently drafted, HB 2120 would function as a “de facto ban” on shared equity products in Pennsylvania, Andrews added.

Real Estate News also reached out to Unison, a major vendor in the space, for comment on HB 2120. Hometap and Unlock deferred to CHEP when reached for comment. 

A growing regulatory patchwork

Pennsylvania is not alone in seeking to legislate regulations around HEIs. Maryland, Illinois and Connecticut have also taken steps to clarify that certain home equity option agreements fall under mortgage lending statutes and licensing requirements.

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In Washington state, litigation over whether a shared equity contract qualified as a reverse mortgage reached the Ninth Circuit before the case was settled and the opinion vacated. Maine and Oregon have considered similar proposals, while Massachusetts has pursued enforcement action against at least one provider in connection with home equity investment practices.

Taken together, these developments suggest a state-by-state regulatory patchwork could emerge in the absence of a uniform federal framework.

The push for homeowner protections

The debate over HEIs arrives amid elevated interest rates and reduced refinancing activity — conditions that have increased demand for alternative equity-access products. 

But regulators appear increasingly focused on classification — specifically whether the absence of monthly payments and traditional interest charges changes the legal character of a contract secured by a lien on a home.

Gilch argues that classification is central to consumer clarity. “If it’s secured by your home and you have to settle up when you sell or refinance, homeowners should have the same protections they expect with any other home-based transaction,” she said.

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Lessons from prior home equity controversies

For industry leaders, the regulatory scrutiny may feel familiar. In recent years, unconventional home equity models have drawn enforcement actions and litigation once questions surfaced around contract structure, title encumbrances or consumer understanding.

MV Realty, which offered upfront payments in exchange for long-term listing agreements, faced regulatory action in multiple states over how those agreements were recorded and disclosed. EasyKnock, which structured sale-leaseback transactions aimed at unlocking home equity, abruptly shuttered operations in late 2024 following litigation and mounting regulatory pressure.

Shared equity investment contracts differ structurally from both models, but those episodes underscore a broader pattern: novel housing finance products can scale quickly in tight credit cycles. Just as quickly, these home equity models encounter regulatory intervention once policymakers begin examining how they fit within existing law — and the formation of CHEP signals that SEPs recognize the stakes.

For real estate executives and housing finance leaders, the outcome of the classification fight may prove consequential. If shared equity contracts are treated as mortgages in more states, underwriting standards, return structures and secondary market economics could shift.

If lawmakers instead carve out a distinct regulatory category, the model may retain more flexibility — but face ongoing state-by-state negotiation.

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Cornell Administrator Warren Petrofsky Named FAS Finance Dean | News | The Harvard Crimson

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Cornell Administrator Warren Petrofsky Named FAS Finance Dean | News | The Harvard Crimson

Cornell University administrator Warren Petrofsky will serve as the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ new dean of administration and finance, charged with spearheading efforts to shore up the school’s finances as it faces a hefty budget deficit.

Petrofsky’s appointment, announced in a Friday email from FAS Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra to FAS affiliates, will begin April 20 — nearly a year after former FAS dean of administration and finance Scott A. Jordan stepped down. Petrofsky will replace interim dean Mary Ann Bradley, who helped shape the early stages of FAS cost-cutting initiatives.

Petrofsky currently serves as associate dean of administration at Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

As dean, he oversaw a budget cut of nearly $11 million to the institution’s College of Arts and Sciences after the federal government slashed at least $250 million in stop-work orders and frozen grants, according to the Cornell Daily Sun.

He also serves on a work group established in November 2025 to streamline the school’s administrative systems.

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Earlier, at the University of Pennsylvania, Petrofsky managed capital initiatives and organizational redesigns in a number of administrative roles.

Petrofsky is poised to lead similar efforts at the FAS, which relaunched its Resources Committee in spring 2025 and created a committee to consolidate staff positions amid massive federal funding cuts.

As part of its planning process, the committee has quietly brought on external help. Over several months, consultants from McKinsey & Company have been interviewing dozens of administrators and staff across the FAS.

Petrofsky will also likely have a hand in other cost-cutting measures across the FAS, which is facing a $365 million budget deficit. The school has already announced it will keep spending flat for the 2026 fiscal year, and it has dramatically reduced Ph.D. admissions.

In her email, Hoekstra praised Petrofsky’s performance across his career.

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“Warren has emphasized transparency, clarity in communication, and investment in staff development,” she wrote. “He approaches change with steadiness and purpose, and with deep respect for the mission that unites our faculty, researchers, staff, and students. I am confident that he will be a strong partner to me and to our community.”

—Staff writer Amann S. Mahajan can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at amannsm.38. Follow her on X @amannmahajan.

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Finance

Where in California are people feeling the most financial distress?

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Where in California are people feeling the most financial distress?

Inland California’s relative affordability cannot always relieve financial stress.

My spreadsheet reviewed a WalletHub ranking of financial distress for the residents of 100 U.S. cities, including 17 in California. The analysis compared local credit scores, late bill payments, bankruptcy filings and online searches for debt or loans to quantify where individuals had the largest money challenges.

When California cities were divided into three geographic regions – Southern California, the Bay Area, and anything inland – the most challenges were often found far from the coast.

The average national ranking of the six inland cities was 39th worst for distress, the most troubled grade among the state’s slices.

Bakersfield received the inland region’s worst score, ranking No. 24 highest nationally for financial distress. That was followed by Sacramento (30th), San Bernardino (39th), Stockton (43rd), Fresno (45th), and Riverside (52nd).

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Southern California’s seven cities overall fared better, with an average national ranking of 56th largest financial problems.

However, Los Angeles had the state’s ugliest grade, ranking fifth-worst nationally for monetary distress. Then came San Diego at 22nd-worst, then Long Beach (48th), Irvine (70th), Anaheim (71st), Santa Ana (85th), and Chula Vista (89th).

Monetary challenges were limited in the Bay Area. Its four cities average rank was 69th worst nationally.

San Jose had the region’s most distressed finances, with a No. 50 worst ranking. That was followed by Oakland (69th), San Francisco (72nd), and Fremont (83rd).

The results remind us that inland California’s affordability – it’s home to the state’s cheapest housing, for example – doesn’t fully compensate for wages that typically decline the farther one works from the Pacific Ocean.

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A peek inside the scorecard’s grades shows where trouble exists within California.

Credit scores were the lowest inland, with little difference elsewhere. Late payments were also more common inland. Tardy bills were most difficult to find in Northern California.

Bankruptcy problems also were bubbling inland, but grew the slowest in Southern California. And worrisome online searches were more frequent inland, while varying only slightly closer to the Pacific.

Note: Across the state’s 17 cities in the study, the No. 53 average rank is a middle-of-the-pack grade on the 100-city national scale for monetary woes.

Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com

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