The American computer giant IBM has reported 1997 fourth quarter net earnings of $2.09 billion a 3.4 per cent gain over the $2.02 billion recorded in the same period of 1996.

Earnings per share came to $2.16 beating market expectations by one cent and compared with $1.97 dollars in the year-earlier quarter. Sales for the quarter increased 2.5 per cent to reach a record $23.7 billion. For the year, IBM reported a profit of $6.1 billion a 3.9 per cent increase over the $5.86 billion earned in 1996. Sales for the year rose 3.4 per cent to $75.5 billion.

No separate results were revealed for IBM Ireland, and a spokesman for the Irish subsidiary would make no comment on the Irish operations ahead of the publication of results next April. Last year, IBM Ireland reported profits of £8 million, a slight fall on the previous year.

IBM is currently well-advanced plans to create a major technology park at Mulhuddart, Co Dublin, which is expected to employ almost 3,000 when it is completed.