Dell raises Q4 sales forecast to $8bn from $7.6bn

Dell Computer Corp raised its fourth-quarter earnings per share guidance to 17 cents from 16 cents previously.

It sales estimate for the period was also increased to $8.0 billion from 7.6 billion.

The company said in a statement that "its profitable, fast-growing consumer business will achieve a sequential increase in product shipments of about 50 percent, and revenue growth...of about 40 percent."

Dell will release its fourth-quarter results and provide first quarter guidance on Feb 14. The company's fourth quarter ends on Feb 1.

Dell has manufacturing plants in Limerick City and a call centre in Bray, Co Wicklow.