Intel profit jumps 25%

SAN FRANCISCO — Intel Corp.'s second-quarter profit jumped 25 percent, as blossoming sales of laptop chips helped the company cruise past Wall Street's estimates Tuesday.

Investors viewed the chip maker's favorable results as a sign that global PC demand is healthy, despite a sputtering U.S. economy that has depressed some domestic spending. Intel CEO Paul Otellini said demand for Intel's chips remains strong "in all segments and all parts of the globe." Three-quarters of Intel's business is outside the United States.

Intel shares rose 23 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $20.94 in after-hours trading. They had risen 24 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $20.71 in the regular session before the company, based in Santa Clara, Calif., reported its results.

Intel said its net income was $1.6 billion, or 28 cents per share, in the three-month period ending June 28. It was a 25 percent jump from the $1.28 billion, or 22 cents per share, that Intel earned a year ago.

Intel has operations worldwide and employs 300 workers at its Riverton location and approximately 1,800 in its joint venture with Micron Technology Inc., IM Flash Technologies, which is based in Lehi.