Dell has reported quarterly net earnings of $456 million compared with $434 million last year, beating market predictions with 5 per cent growth over the year.
According to figures released this morning, results exceeded original company guidance, primarily because of a stronger-than-planned performance by Dell's profitable, fast-growing consumer business.
The company, which employs more than 5000 people in Limerick and Wicklow, is also expected to outperform the industry in the first quarter of this year when worldwide shipments are expected to drop by 10 per cent, with Dell predicting a fall of between 3 and 5 per cent.
Overall, analysts said, Dell gained almost three points of worldwide market share in servers from the year-ago quarter, and more than five points in the United States.
The company significantly exceeded overall industry growth rates in strategically important markets such as China, Germany and Japan.
Full-year net earnings were $1.25 billion as opposed to $2.18 billion in fiscal 2001.
"The pace with which they're choosing Dell products and services accelerated last year and puts us in a stronger competitive position than at any time in our history," said chairman and CEO Mr Michael Dell.
"Calendar 2001 was the first full year in which Dell led the global computer-systems industry, with nearly 14 per cent market share. In the US, Dell's full-year share exceeded 25 per cent, up almost six points from 2000".
Net operating margins for the period were 7.4 per cent of revenue versus 6.8 per cent in the year-ago fourth quarter. and operating expenses were 10.2 per cent of revenue, the lowest level in company history.