/ 14 October 2004

Apple posts $106m profit

Apple Computer on Wednesday reported a fiscal fourth-quarter net profit of $106-million dollars, doubling from a year ago as sales of its iPod music player surged.

The profit excluding special charges was 27 cents a share, topping estimates of analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call who expected a profit of 18 cents a share.

Revenues jumped 37% from a year ago to $2,35-billion, as Apple sold 836 000 iMac computers and more than two million iPods, a 500% increase.

”We are thrilled to report our highest fourth quarter revenue in nine years,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive.

”We shipped over two million iPods, our retail store revenue grew 95% year-over-year, and the new iMac G5 has received phenomenal reviews and is off to a great start.” – Sapa-AFP