DELL Computers, which has announced a £20 million, 750 job, expansion of its Limerick plant this week, has reported a 92 per cent jump in third quarter profits.

It attributing the improvement on increased sales in Europe and the Americas and said its board of directors had approved a two for one stock split.

Dell, the world's largest direct distributor of computers, posted net income of $145 million (£87.5 million), compared with $75 million in the same period a year ago.

Earnings per share were $1.52 after a special charge of four cents per share to pay off part of the Austin, Texas based, company's debt. In the third quarter of 19,95, Dell earned 75 cents a share. Revenues were $2 billion compared to $1.4 billion a year ago.

The stock split, payable on December 16th for shareholders of record as of November 25th was the third in the last five years.

The company said its third quarter was highlighted by a 41 per cent sales increase in Europe to $482 million and 35 per cent sales growth in the Americas to $1.4 billion.

The company's founder and chief executive, Mr Michael Dell, predicted continued strong market growth for the personal computer industry, driven by lower prices and new computer chips.

"Over a multi year period, I, would put (growth) in the 15 20 per cent band.