 Intel's figures are seen as key to the whole computer industry |
Intel has raised the lower level of its first quarter sales forecast, thanking reduced manufacturing costs. It now expects revenue in the three months to 31 March to fall between $9.2bn (�4.7bn) and $9.4bn.
Back in December the world's largest chipmaker predicted that the figure would be between $8.8bn and $9.4bn.
The new estimate exceeds Wall Street expectations. Shares in the company rose by 2% in electronic after-hours trading in New York.
'Encouraging'
Intel said its gross margin - the difference between sales and the cost of the products sold - is expected to be about 57%, compared with the previous forecast of 55%.
"I'm encouraged by the gross margin guidance, which is a little better than expectations," said Krishna Shankar, a computer industry analyst with JMP Securities.
"Sounds like the PC business is tracking normally."
Intel does not provide profits guidance ahead of its reports.
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