Lenovo Q1 Revenue Jumps 20%, Beats Estimates as PC Market Recovers

An employee gestures next to a Lenovo logo at Lenovo Tech World in Beijing, China November 15, 2019. (Reuters)
An employee gestures next to a Lenovo logo at Lenovo Tech World in Beijing, China November 15, 2019. (Reuters)
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Lenovo Q1 Revenue Jumps 20%, Beats Estimates as PC Market Recovers

An employee gestures next to a Lenovo logo at Lenovo Tech World in Beijing, China November 15, 2019. (Reuters)
An employee gestures next to a Lenovo logo at Lenovo Tech World in Beijing, China November 15, 2019. (Reuters)

China's Lenovo Group reported a 20% rise in quarterly revenue on Thursday, as the global personal computer market showed signs of recovery after a two-year slump.

For the three months ending in June, the company's revenue rose to $15.4 billion, above the average estimate of $14.1 billion expected by analysts polled by LSEG.

This marks a third consecutive quarter of revenue growth for Lenovo after it suffered five straight quarters of revenue declines amid the post-COVID slowdown.

The global personal computer market has shown signs of recovery, with IDC data indicating a return to growth during the first quarter of this year after nearly two years of declines.

For the three months ended June, global PC shipments rose by 3% to 64.9 million units. Lenovo maintained its position as the market leader, holding a 23% market share, according to IDC.

Lenovo's shares down 0.99% in Thursday afternoon trading.

Lenovo has diversified beyond its core PC business, expanding into software and services in recent years.

The company's infrastructure solutions group, which includes servers and other hardware, grew 65% to $3 billion in revenue. Its solutions and services group grew 10% to $1.9 billion for the quarter.

Currently its non-PC business already made by 47% of its revenue mix and company chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang told Reuters in an interview that this share will grow to 50% in the near future.

Yang said a resurgence in IT spending by businesses and AI-driven demand will boost the company's business lines across the board, including PCs, servers, and enterprise software.

The PC market is being fueled by the emerging trend of "AI PCs" - computers equipped with specialized chips optimized for AI software.

Lenovo, among the first to unveil AI PCs, launched two models in May. Yang projects 10% of Lenovo's shipped PCs will be AI PCs by year-end, potentially rising to 50-60% by 2026.

The AI boom coincides with rising China-US geopolitical tensions, including restrictions on advanced AI technology exports.

Yang said Lenovo was accustomed to such challenges and complies with regulations in all operating regions, enabling it to navigate these issues.

Lenovo's net income for the quarter was $243 million, above the average estimate of $222.94 million expected by analysts polled by LSEG.



OIC Secretary General Urges Digital Investment for Youth Empowerment

OIC Secretary General Urges Digital Investment for Youth Empowerment
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OIC Secretary General Urges Digital Investment for Youth Empowerment

OIC Secretary General Urges Digital Investment for Youth Empowerment

Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha emphasized on Monday the critical role of digitization in empowering young people across member states.

Speaking on the occasion of International Youth Day, marked annually on August 12, Taha called for increased investment in digital infrastructure and initiatives to help young people contribute to sustainable development.

He noted the upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future, highlighting the importance of assessing progress made towards the OIC's youth-focused goals.

Expressing solidarity with youth in conflict zones, Taha urged OIC institutions to support member states in addressing their needs.

This year's International Youth Day theme, "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development," underscores the global recognition of technology as a key driver of sustainable development.