Apple unveiled its first quarterly results of the year this evening, and they’re absolutely astounding. Record revenues and record profits, even in a credit crunch!
Jobs didn’t chair Apple’s conference call, but stated that, “even in these economically challenging times, we are incredibly pleased to report our best quarterly revenue and earnings in Apple history, surpassing $10 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time ever.”
Apple’s exact revenue figures are $10.17 billion, with a net quarterly profit of $1.61 billion.
In part, the record results are the result of a “strong response” to Apple’s new aluminium MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops, as well as a record performance from the iPod range.
The company said it had sold a record 22.7 million iPods during the quarter. That’s 3% up on last year, and proves Apple’s still reigns supreme in the MP3 player market.
The company still holds a 70% share of the MP3 player market in the US, and it’s even higher in the UK.
But the iPhone is Apple’s strongest success story. In its first quarter Apple says it sold 4.3 million iPhones. That’s an astonishing 88% rise on last year, undoubtedly due to the iPhone 3G and its accompanying App Store. 13.7 million iPhones have now been sold to date, including 2G models.
More than 500 million app downloads have now taken place for iPod touch and iPhone, and 15,000 applications are now available on the App Store. That’s 10,000 more than in the previous quarter, and showing no signs of slowing.
Looking ahead, Apple says its forecasting will be “challenging.” The company is acutely aware of the tense economic climate, but has no debt, and a stack of money in the bank. One of its main priorities over the coming year will be investing that money to preserve its value. In other words, Northern Rock won’t see a penny.
TBC | £TBC | Apple
Tags: Apple, financial, Q1 2009, results, Steve Jobs, tim cook