Xeroxs preliminary third-quarter results show an estimated 2.6bn ($3.8bn) to 2.7bn in revenue, and a loss in the region of 15p to 17p per share.

The company said that results had been impacted by a number of factors, not least of which was a drop due to currency losses.

These included a tax rate change, unhedged exposures, and a property insurance loss incurred from the events of 11 September, which also hit sales for September.

"We remain cautiously optimistic for a return to operational profitability in the fourth quarter," said president and chief executive Anne Mulcahy.

Progress was also made in reducing the companys substantial debt, including a repayment of 241m, improving cash by 9%.

Xerox will report its full third-quarter results on 23 October.