Apple last night reported record quarterly revenue led by blockbuster sales of its latest generation iPhone.
The California-based company said that its net profit in the quarter ending September 25 soared 70% to $4.31 billion on unprecedented sales of Macintosh computers, iPhones and iPads.
'We are blown away to report over $20 billion in revenue and over $4 billion in after-tax earnings - both all-time records for Apple,' the company's chief executive Steve Jobs said.
Apple reported record revenue of $20.34 billion in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year, up from $12.21 billion a year ago.
Apple said it sold 3.89 million Macintosh computers during the quarter, up 27% from a year ago, 14.1 million iPhones, up 91% from a year ago, and 4.19 million iPads, up from 3.3 million the previous quarter.
It also said it sold 9.05 million iPods during the quarter, down 11% from a year ago.
Apple shares were down 6% in after-hours trading to $298.50 as iPad sales fell short of expectations. Analysts had expected Apple to sell as many as five million iPads during the quarter.
But Mr Jobs remained confident, saying that he believed Apple has a 'tiger by the tail' with the iPad and that there is little sign of a viable challenger.
Apple ended the latest quarter with about $51 billion in its coffers and is saving the money for acquisitions or other tactical corporate moves. 'We would like to continue to keep our powder dry because we do feel there are some strategic opportunities in the future,' Mr Jobs said.
Apple also revealed that it has sold about 250,000 of its new Apple TV devices since the second-generation of the gadget priced at $99 became available in September.
