Xilinx reported second-quarter earnings yesterday of $114.1 million (£100 million), or $0.32 per diluted share, an increase of 93 per cent from last year. The programmable logic design firm, based in California, employs about 350 people at Citywest, Dublin, also had record revenues of $437.4 million for the quarter, ended September 30th, an 83 per cent increase from the same quarter a year ago.

Xilinx's president and chief executive officer, Mr Wim Roe landts, attributed the steep rise to "robust business growth in the North American market." He also cited "the continued success of the company's high-end Virtex products, which now comprise more than one-third of Xilinx's revenues".