Lexmark has provided proof that printer firms got hammered as much as PC vendors in the fourth quarter of 2000.

Profits for the quarter fell 45 per cent. After one-off charges the company earned $55 million, compared with $99.7 million for the same period a year earlier.

Back in October the company warned it was going to restructure and shed as many as 900 workers.

Sales for the quarter hit a record $1.096 billion, up from $1.003 billion a year earlier. ®