The Hewlett-Packard computer technology company yesterday reported a 34 per cent increase in second-quarter net earnings to $918 million (#859.06 million) compared with the same period last year. Earnings per share were 88 cents, up from 65 cents in the second quarter of the company's 1999 fiscal year, beating market expectations by 8 cents. Net revenue rose from $12 billion to $12.4 billion, with gains reported in the US and Europe.