Apple made record profits and record revenues in the run-up to Christmas as shoppers bought more Macs, iPhones, and iPads than analysts predicted.
The company said that in the three months to 25 December, net profit was $6bn (£3.7bn) on revenues of $26.74bn.
Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, said in a statement: “We had a phenomenal holiday quarter.”
There was no further mention of his health problems following Monday’s news that Mr Jobs is taking medical leave.
While he is continuing as chief executive and will be involved in any major decisions, day-to-day running has passed to chief operating officer Tim Cook.
Apple’s first-quarter profit is a 71% jump on the same period last year.
Daniel Ernst, analyst at Hudson Square Research, said: “Apple blew away earnings expectations, again. It seems to be a recurring event for these guys.
“It was across the board, top to bottom, another great quarter,” he said.
The company sold 4.13 million Macs during the quarter, a 23% rise year-on-year, and 16.24 million iPhones, a leap of 86%.
iPod sales fell 7% to 19.45 million units. Apple sold 7.33 million iPads.
Shares in the company, which had fallen during the day, rose 4% in after-hours trading to about $354.
Courtesy of bbc.co.uk
Mark Warren
www.nemark.co.uk
