Apple has posted record quarterly profits of $7.31bn, driven primarily by sales of its iPhones and iPads devices.
Apple sold 20.34m iPhones during the quarter versus an expected 17m-18m, which analysts say helped it vault past Nokia and Samsung Electronics to become the world's biggest smartphone maker.
In coming months, Apple is expected to roll out a new iPhone, which is likely to give the world's most valuable technology company another shot in the arm and offer a stiff challenge to rivals such as Google Inc and Research in Motion.
The company said its fiscal third-quarter revenue rose to $28.57bn, beating the average analyst estimate of $24.99bn.
Apple’s stock price has gained nearly 19% since hitting a year low on 20 June.
