Novell has confirmed it will not report its final
quarter financial results until 1 December. In previous years it
has released the figures some weeks earlier.
It is not known why the results are later than usual, though
Novell has recently axed 10% of its workforce and appointed a new
number two to chief executive Jack Messman.
The company has already announced what financial effects the
lay-offs will have on the fourth-quarter results, for the period
ending 31 October, so the delay is a mystery.
While the 1 December reporting date is well within the financial
reporting guidelines, the later-than-usual reporting date will fuel
expectation that the company is about to deliver another poor set
of results.
In the third quarter, Novell announced a drop in sales and a 91%
reduction in profits.
Ron Hovsepian, previously executive vice-president and president
of global field operations, was appointed president and chief
operating officer before the lay-off announcement. He is now
second-in-command to Messman.
Novell is bringing in a consultant to have a look at its
modestly performing consulting division and there is speculation
that further job cuts could be announced in this division, on top
of the 600 announced last week.