Intel sales pass $5 billion for Q3

Intel said better than expected sales of Pentium and Pentium Pro chips were responsible for sales of $5.1 billion for its third fiscal quarter, up 23 per cent on the previous year. Profits were also up, to $1.3 billion.

Unsurprisingly, given disappointing PC sales on the continent, the chip giant didn't count Europe as being among its star performers. Asia Pacific and the Americas were up sharply on the second quarter, however.

Separately, Intel said because of a proposed California referendum it would no longer issue statements to press or government regarding expected financial results. A new law could make it more susceptible being sued by investors over securities violations and fraud, the company claimed.