STAMFORD, CT -- Gartner Group today issued a lower outlook for worldwide IT spending this year. The firm now predicts a 6% drop in 2009, to $3.2 billion. Hardware sales will drop 16.3, the researchers said, citing reluctance on the part of corporate and consumer buyers.

In March, the firm guided for a overall drop on 3.8%, including software and services.

A recovery should come in 2010, Gartner said. The firm forecasts 2.3% growth overall next year, with hardware sales flat.