Revamped Novell will report in December

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.