Logitech recently released its Q1 earnings for fiscal year 2012, and lets just say that the company has seen better days. Sales are continuing to decline, and the company is facing a $34 million charge due to an upcoming price reduction of its Google TV box, the Revue. In order to promote interest in the device, Logitech will be dropping the price from an outrageous $249 down to a more reasonable $99, putting it in the same ballpark with Apple TV and Roku TV.

Once this price hits the street, this will be an excellent deal for anyone looking to pick up a Google TV device. With Honeycomb making its way onto Google TV boxes soon, I honestly can't think of a better time to grab one.

[Engadget]

FREMONT, Calif., July 27, 2011 and MORGES, Switzerland, July 28, 2011 — Logitech International (SIX: LOGN) (Nasdaq: LOGI) today announced financial results for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2012.

Sales for Q1 FY 2012 were $480 million compared to $479 million in Q1 FY 2011. Excluding the favorable impact of exchange rate changes, sales declined by 4 percent year over year. The Company posted an operating loss of $45 million, compared to operating income of $12 million in the same quarter a year ago. Included in Logitech’s Q1 FY 2012 operating loss is a $34 million charge to cost of goods sold due to a planned price reduction on Logitech Revue with Google TV. The net loss for Q1 FY 2012 was $30 million ($0.17 per share) compared to net income of $20 million ($0.11 per share) in Q1 of FY 2011. Gross margin for Q1 FY 2012, reflecting the charge related to repricing of Logitech Revue, was 26.1 percent, down from 35.3 percent one year ago.

Logitech’s retail sales for Q1 FY 2012 were flat year over year, with an increase in Asia of 29 percent, an increase in the Americas of 1 percent, and a decrease in EMEA of 14 percent. OEM sales decreased by 16 percent. Sales for the LifeSize division grew 34 percent.
In Q1, Logitech achieved strong growth in Asia, driven primarily by China. Also notable for the first quarter was continued sales momentum by the LifeSize division and a positive initial reception of the Company’s new tablet accessories.

While Logitech is making progress in improving operations in the Company’s EMEA sales region, the Q1 performance reflects sustained weakness in the region. The Company also experienced minimal sales growth in its Americas region, primarily due to very weak sales in the Digital Home category. Logitech’s loss in Q1 was compounded by the significant impact of the decision to reduce the price of Logitech Revue from $249 to $99 during Q2. The action was taken with the goal of accelerating adoption of the Google TV platform by removing price as a barrier to broad consumer acceptance.

In a separate announcement today, Logitech said that Chairman Guerrino De Luca has assumed the additional role of acting president and chief executive officer, succeeding departing CEO Gerald P. Quindlen.

“I resume my former role as CEO, on an acting basis, with unwavering commitment to Logitech and strong confidence in the Company’s future and growth potential,” said Guerrino De Luca. “My priorities will be to pursue our many opportunities with a strong sense of urgency and to renew the confidence in Logitech among all stakeholders.”

Outlook
For Fiscal Year 2012, ending March 31, 2012, Logitech has lowered its sales outlook from approximately $2.6 billion to approximately $2.5 billion. The Company has lowered its FY 2012 target for operating income from approximately $185 million to equal to or greater than FY 2011 operating income of $143 million.

Prepared Remarks Available Online
Logitech has made its prepared written remarks for the financial results teleconference available online on the Logitech corporate Web site at http://ir.logitech.com. The remarks are posted in the Calendar section on the Investor home page.

Financial Results Teleconference and Webcast
Logitech will hold a financial results teleconference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time and 14:30 Central European Summer Time. A live webcast of the call, along with presentation slides, will be available on the Logitech corporate Web site at http://ir.logitech.com.