Flash memory sales boost Intel as Q2 profits up 96%

SEMICONDUCTOR maker Intel Corp said yesterday that second-quarter profits rose 96%, meeting Wall Street estimates, due to growth in its communications business led by flash memory.

Quarterly earnings rose 96% to $1.8 billion (€1.5bn), or 27 cents per share, from $896 million (€726m), or 14 cents per share, a year ago.

Analysts had predicted Intel would earn 27 cents per share in the latest quarter, according to Thomson First Call.