5:30PM New York – After the Close earnings releases in the U.S.

IBM reported second quarter earnings per share of $1.50 compared to $1.30 per share. The earnings per share would have been higher 5 cents when $81 million pre-tax gain was included for the sale of print systems division.

Second quarter net income from continuing operations was reported at $2.3 billion including gain of the sales or $2.2 billion, excluding the gain, compared to $2 billion a year ago. Revenue in the quarter was $23.8 billon, 9% jump from a year ago or 6% increase when adjust for currency gains. Gross margin for the quarter was flat at 41.8% compared to 41.2% from a year ago.

Revenue in Asia rose the fastest with a gain of 10% followed by 6% rise in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and 5% in Americas, when adjusted for the currency. The revenue in the North and South America, largest segment, was reported at $10.1 billion, followed by 8.2 billion in EMEA, and $4.6 billion in Asia.

IBM signed $11.7 billion in service contract, 22% jump from a year ago and at the end of the quarter the backlog for these and maintenance contracts rose $7 billion to $116 billion. Software sales jumped 13% to $$4.8 billion on strength in WebSphere, Tivoli, and Rational and Lotus brand products.

EBay reported second earnings surge of 50% on revenue rise of 30%. The payment processing division and telecom service Skype generated sold results. Marketplace revenue increased 26% on 6% lower listing volume.

eBay (EBAY: chart) reported second quarter net income of $375.8 million compared to $245 million a year ago on revenue of $1.83 billion. The revenue gained 30% from a year ago. Earnings per share in the second quarter jumped to 27 cents from 17 cents a year ago.

The company purchased 10 million shares at $334 million from its authorized stock buyback program of $2 billion ending in January 2009.

Revenue in marketplaces rose 26% to $1.29 billion on 6% fewer listings 559 million listings. Revenue growth rate at PayPal jumped 34% to $339 million o 32% rise in global total payment volume of $11.69 billion. Skype, chat and telecom service, revenue jumped 103% to $90 million with 220 million registered accounts, a 94% jump.

GAAP Operating margin in the quarter rose to 24.9% from 22.1% a year ago and free cash flow increased to $533 million.

For the third quarter the company guided earnings between 31 and 33 cents and revenue between $1.775 billion and $1.825 billion. For the year the company guided revenue of $7.3 billion and $7.45 billion and non-GAAP diluted earnings between $1.34 and $1.38 per share.