iLounge

By Charles Starrett

Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Tuesday, October 21, 2008
News Category: Apple

Reporting its fourth-quarter financial results today, Apple said it sold 11.05 million iPods during the quarter — more than an eight percent increase compared to the same quarter last year, and slightly more than the 11.011 million sold in Q3. It also sold 6.89 million iPhones in the quarter, up from 1.119 million in the year-ago quarter and an artificially-low 717,000 in Q3 2008. The company posted revenue of $7.9 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.14 billion, or $1.26 per diluted share, compared with revenue of $6.22 billion and net quarterly profit of $904 million, or $1.01 per diluted share in Q4 2007. Sales of Other Music Related Products + Services were $832 milllion in Q4, up from $601 million in the year-ago quarter and $819 million in Q3. That category includes iTunes Store sales, iPod services, and revenues from Apple and third-party iPod accessories.

“Apple just reported one of the best quarters in its history, with a spectacular performance by the iPhone—we sold more phones than RIM,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We don’t yet know how this economic downturn will affect Apple. But we’re armed with the strongest product line in our history, the most talented employees and the best customers in our industry. And $25 billion of cash safely in the bank with zero debt.”

“We’re very pleased to have grown revenue 35 percent and to have generated $9.1 billion in cash in fiscal 2008,” said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO. “Looking ahead, visibility is low and forecasting is challenging, and as a result we are going to be prudent in predicting the December quarter. We are providing a wide range for our guidance, targeting revenue of $9.0 to $10.0 billion and earnings per diluted share between $1.06 and $1.35.”