Strong Atom Sales Only Good News For Intel Q2 2009 Finances

Stronger than expected sales of Atom processors have seen Intel post Q2 2009 revenues of $8.0bn, up 12-percent on the previous quarter, though not enough to avoid recording a net income loss of $1.0bn.  Atom CPUs such as the N270, a common sight in netbooks and budget ultraportables, defied the trend for falling processor ASPs (average selling prices) by climbing 65-percent sequentially, and bolstering the company coffers by $362m alone. 

When you take into account Intel's fine from the European Commission, however, things look even more depressing.  The company was found guilty of illegally using "hidden rebates" to dissuade customers from using rival products, and fined $1.45bn.  Intel recorded GAAP operating losses of $12m and a GAAP net loss of $398m.

Nonetheless, Intel are putting what positive spin on it that they can, highlighting the fact that Q2 2009 has seen the "strongest first- to second-quarter growth since 1988" and predicting $8.5bn revenue in Q3 2009.  Unfortunately that may not benefit from the launch of the Atom N450, which is expected to arrive at the beginning of Q4.