Chip maker Intel reported a 25 per cent rise in profits from $1.3bn (648m) in the year ago quarter to $1.6bn (£797m) this quarter, boosted by strong sales of its chips in notebook computers.

Revenues were up nine per cent year on year from $8.7bn to $9.5bn.

"As we enter the second half, demand remains strong for our microprocessor and chipset products in all segments and all parts of the globe," said Intel chief executive Paul Otellini.

The news comes as the Wall Street Journal reports that European regulators are preparing fresh anti-trust charges against the company for unfair practices in closing its rival AMD out of the market.

AMD will report its results later this week, and is expected to have suffered from Intel's success.

Google, Microsoft and IBM will all report their results later this week.