Hungry Minds Now Expecting Quarterly Loss

Hungry Minds Inc., publishers of the “For Dummies” series of how-to books, said Wednesday it expects to report a fiscal first-quarter loss, a reversal of its previous projection of a small profit, as sluggish personal computer sales have dampened demand for the company’s core products.

The New York-based company said it expects to report a loss for the quarter ending Dec. 31 of 8 to 10 cents a share. It had indicated earlier that it expected earnings of 2 cents.

In addition, Hungry Minds, formerly IDG Books Worldwide, said revenue is expected to come in about 15% below expectations and about 16% below the $57.8 million it posted in the year-ago quarter.

The company derives significant revenue from new and existing book titles, most of which tie into Microsoft Corp.’s Windows operating system and whose success depends on growth in first-time computer buyers.