Computing giant Hewlett-Packard Wednesday reported first-quarter profit surpassing analysts' forecasts by two cents, and said turnover rose about 14 per cent.

The company, which employs more than 1,500 in the Republic, said its earnings from continuing operations totalled $794 million (€807 million) or 80 cents per share, before expenses related to the spin-off of Agilent Technologies, compared with $882 million or 85 cents per share in last year's first quarter.

The company said its revenues totalled $11.7 billion, up from $10.2 billion last year.