Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) had Q2 revenues of $8 billion, up 12% from Q1 and beating analyst expectations of $7.23 billion soundly. This was the best quarter-over-quarter growth rate for the world's largest chip manufacturer in more than 20 years -- and a good sign for the technology sector as a whole.
The company's profit of 18 cents a share was more than double the consensus of 8 cents, and the good news sent Intel's stock up 7% in after-hours trading.
This report didn't include a $1.45 billion fine that the European Commission imposed on the company back in May. This would have pushed Intel to a loss of $398 million (7 cents a share). But Intel is appealing the decision, which involved accusations of an abuse of market position. The company puts chips into 80% of computers.
Intel's announcement that it plans to freeze senior top executives salaries and revise its option pricing may is another cost-containment step by the company -- but one nevertheless not without some unanswered questions. 
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