Dell Computer, which employs more than 4,500 staff in the Republic, has raised its revenue projections for the current year.

Dell said late on Thursday it believed second-quarter revenue would reach $8.3 billion (€8.38 billion), up about 9 per cent from last year, and produce earnings of 19 US cents per share, an increase of 19 per cent excluding a special charge a year ago.

The firm had said on May 16th that revenue and earnings for the period could be $8.2 billion and 18 cents per share, respectively. Dell said on Thursday it believes it is gaining market share in the midst of weak overall demand.

Dell sells personal computers and large computers for businesses. The company said its strength in the current quarter was broadly based, with growth in the education, government and consumer businesses. It added that it expected operating profit as a percentage of revenue to be up sharply from the most recent and year-ago quarters.