Cisco to lay off up to 6,000 workers

Cisco said Wednesday that it will lay off up to 6,000 workers, or eight per cent of its workforce, as part of a restructuring.

The company, which makes routers, switches and software, said the layoffs will affect workers in operations around the world. The announcement was made during a conference call discussing its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings.

The San Jose, Calif.-based company on Wednesday reported a one per cent decline in profit, to $2.25 billion, as revenue dipped to $12.36 billion from $12.42 billion. Its adjusted earnings for the three months ending July 26 – its fiscal fourth quarter – came to 55 cents per share, which was two cents more than analysts expected, according to Zacks Investment Research.

During the conference call, chief financial officer Frank Calderoni said the company estimates pretax charges of up to $700 million, with about $250 to $350 million recorded in the current quarter, for the restructuring.

Shares fell 25 cents, or one per cent, to $24.95 in after-hours trading. The stock has risen 12 per cent this year.