For the three months ended April 2, Intel earned $2.15 billion, or 34 cents per share, compared with $1.73 billion, or 26 cents per share, in the same period last year. Sales increased 17 percent, to $9.43 billion from $8.09 billion in 2004.

The results easily beat Wall Street expectations. Analysts were expecting the world's largest chip maker to earn 31 cents per share on sales of $9.31 billion, according to a survey by Thomson Financial.

The results were announced after the end of regular trading. Intel shares closed Tuesday at $22.63, up 42 cents.

SportsNuts

Salt Lake-based sports management and marketing company SportsNuts Inc. said it had revenue of $828,055 in 2004. That was up from $659,223 in 2003 and its highest level in four years, the company said.

The company said the increase was due primarily to higher technology consulting fees and revenues from computer hardware sales through wholly owned subsidiary Secure Networks Inc.

The company's stock rose 2.5 cents Tuesday to close at 6.5 cents. During the past year, the price has ranged from three-tenths of a cent to 4 cents.

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Contributing: Associated Press