Dell profit nearly triples

US computer maker Dell on Tuesday reported that its profit nearly tripled in the recently-ended quarter on strong sales to businesses.
Revenue inched up one percent to $15 billion while net income leapt to $945 million from $341 million in the same three-month period a year earlier, according to the Texas-based company.
"We're off to a solid start in our fiscal year 2012," said Dell chief executive Michael Dell.
"Our substantial profit increase demonstrates that our strategy is working and our execution is improving."
Dell predicted revenue growth in the current quarter would be slightly better than usual, with improved sales to governments, schools, and small businesses.
"We continue to build momentum with our strategy to expand our enterprise solutions and services business, and it's contributing to our strong financial results," said Dell chief financial officer Brian Gladden.
"We have built an $18 billion enterprise solutions and services business with exciting growth potential and our execution in the core client business continues to be very good."
Boosts in sales to businesses and public institutions more than offset a seven percent slide on the consumer side, which was softer than expected, according to Dell.

Dell stock price rose more than five percent to $16.76 a share in after-hours trading that followed release of the earnings figures.
Dell earning news came hours after rival Hewlett Packard reported strong profits in the recent fiscal quarter but saw its stock sink with word that the US computer colossus was bracing for tough times later in the year.
HP reported that it made $2.3 billion in profit on $31.6 billion in revenue during the fiscal quarter that ended April 30 in a showing that bested the same period a year earlier by five percent and three percent respectively.