Today's announcement replaces the update previously scheduled for Dec. 4. From the close of business on Nov. 28 until publication of the company's fourth quarter results on Jan. 15, 2009, Intel will observe a "Quiet Period" during which the Business Outlook disclosed in the company's press releases and filings with the SEC should be considered to be historical, speaking as of prior to the Quiet Period only and not subject to an update by the company.
Q4 2008 Outlook
Revenue: $9 billion plus or minus $300 million (lower than the previous expectation of between $10.1 billion and $10.9 billion).
Gross margin: 55 percent plus or minus a couple of points (lower than the previous expectation of 59 percent, plus or minus a couple of points).
Spending (R&D plus MG&A): Approximately $2.8 billion (lower than the previous expectation of approximately $2.9 billion).
Restructuring and asset impairment charges: Approximately $250 million. The expected charges are primarily driven by the decision by Intel and Micron to discontinue the supply of NAND flash memory from a 200mm facility within the IMFT manufacturing network.
Net gain or loss from equity investments and interest and other: Net loss of approximately $50 million.
Tax rate: Approximately 29 percent, lower than the previous expectation of approximately 33 percent.
Depreciation: Approximately $1.1 billion.
Full-Year 2008 Outlook
Spending (R&D plus MG&A): Approximately $11.4 billion lower than the previous expectation of approximately $11.5 billion dollars.
R&D: Approximately $5.9 billion, lower than the previous expectation of approximately $6 billion.
Capital spending: $5 billion plus or minus $100 million, as compared to the previous expectation of $5.2 billion plus or minus $200 million.
Risk Factors
The above statements and any others in this document that refer to plans and expectations for the fourth quarter, the year and the future are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Many factors could affect Intel's actual results, and variances from Intel's current expectations regarding such factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Intel presently considers the following to be the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the corporation's expectations.
A detailed discussion of these and other factors that could affect Intel's results is included in Intel's SEC filings, including the report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 27, 2008.
During the quarter, Intel's corporate representatives may reiterate the company’s current published Business Outlook during private meetings with investors, investment analysts, the media and others. At the same time, Intel will keep its most recent Earnings Release containing the then current published Business Outlook publicly available on its web site www.intc.com. Unless Intel is in a Quiet Period (described below), the public can continue to rely on the current Business Outlook on the web site as still being Intel's current expectations on matters covered, unless Intel publishes a notice stating otherwise.
During the quarter, Intel's corporate representatives may reiterate the Business Outlook during private meetings with investors, investment analysts, the media and others. Due to the uncertain economic environment, Intel intends to publish a mid-quarter business update this quarter. From the close of business on Nov. 28 until publication of the fourth quarter earnings release on Jan. 15, 2009, Intel will observe a "Quiet Period" during which the Business Outlook disclosed in the company's press releases and filings with the SEC should be considered to be historical, speaking as of prior to the Quiet Period only and not subject to an update by the company.