Palm Pockets Big Profit

Palm Inc., the maker of electronic organizers that’s being spun off by 3Com Corp., said its fiscal third-quarter earnings soared 78% to $15.5 million, or 3 cents a share, from $8.7 million, or 2 cents, beating analyst estimates of 1 cent. Revenue more than doubled to $272.3 million from $125.9 million. Palm released the earnings report after the close of trading. The shares, which have gained 44% since the company’s initial public offering March 1, slipped 56 cents to close at $53.81 on Nasdaq.