Hewlett-Packard, which employs 1,000 people in the Republic, has reported earnings for the latest quarter that fell short of expectations on Wall Street because of slow sales of medical equipment and higher costs.

The second-largest computer maker said net income was $617 million (£420 million), or 58 cents a share, in its fiscal third quarter ended July 31st compared to $425 million, or 40 cents a share, a year earlier. Sales rose 15 per cent to $10.5 billion from $9.1 billion. - (Reuter)