US computer maker Apple last night announced that it had tripled quarterly net profits to $46m for the quarter ended March 31 and posted commensurately higher sales on the strength of its digital music player iPod.
Apple said it expected for the second quarter profits of 14 to 15 cents per share barring unforeseen circumstances, along with sales of $1.925 billion, up 25% on the year.
The company said in a statement it expected double-digit growth for a fourth consecutive quarter in both sales and profits on the year.
But for $7m in reconstruction costs, the company said, it could have posted net quarterly profits of $53m.
