Technology giant IBM has reported nine per cent growth in fourth quarter net income

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at USD 4.81 billion on cost cutting measures and has raised its outlook for 2010.

In the year-ago period, the company had a net income of USD 4.42 billion, IBM said in a statement.

Total revenue rose to USD 27.23 billion in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, from USD 27 billion in the same quarter last fiscal.

"We concluded a strong year with a solid performance in the fourth quarter, in which we again delivered growth in margins, profit and earnings," IBM Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer Samuel J Palmisano said.

IBM said it expects an earning of USD 11 per share for the full year 2010, up from earlier projections between USD 10 and 11 per share.

"We are confident about 2010 and our ability to achieve the high end of our long-term roadmap," Palmisano added.

IBM has boosted profitability by cost cutting moves as its total expense decreased 5 per cent to USD 6.8 billion compared with the year-ago period.

The tech giant has registered robust growth in services and software segment, while revenues from hardware business declined