Dell Computers reported flat first-quarter income but met analysts' expectations for the January-March period, thanks partly to better than expected revenue from Europe, Dell executives said last night, writes Conor O'Clery.

The world's number one computer maker, which employs 4,500 people in Limerick and 1,2000 in Dublin, does not anticipate any more imminent layoffs in its aggressive costcutting strategy. Mr Kevin Rollins, Dell president, said business in Europe in the January-March quarter had been "quite healthy," particularly in Germany, with two consecutive quarters of above-forecast performance.

After US markets closed yesterday, the Austin Texas-based company reported income of $462 million (#523 million), essentially flat with the same quarter a year earlier. Sales rose 10 per cent to $8 billion.