GATEWAY 2000, the US computer group which employs 1,500 people in north Dublin, has reported a 35 per cent rise in pretax profits to $103 million (£66.58 million) for the three months to end March.
The quarter was the second most, profitable in the history of the company, with strong demand across all product segments. Profits rose despite a 10.5 per cent drop in average unit prices - reflected in the faster growth in shipments over sales.
Strong demand helped boost sales by 23 per cent to $1,419 million. But shipments rise by 39 per cent.
Chairman and chief executive officer, Mr Ted Waitt, attributed the strong performance to the introduction of the Pentium processor with, MMX technology, continuing healthy demand from existing customers and business growth.
Group costs were 24 per cent higher at $1,324 million while operating profits jumped 35 per cent to $94.9 million. Gross margins in the quarter rose to 18.7 per cent from 18.6 per cent. Earnings per share rose to 86 cents from 65 cents.
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