Sun Microsystems, producers of network computer hardware and software, has announced adjusted first-quarter net earnings of $197.9 million (£129 million), up 21 per cent from the same period last year.

First-quarter earnings per share came to 50 cents, compared with 41 cents in the year-earlier period and beating market estimates by one cent. Revenues in the quarter to September 27th were $2.49 billion, a 19 per cent increase over first-quarter 1997.

The company, which employs 150 people at its European software centre in Dublin, said earnings per share came to 29 cents on net income of $113.9 million.