The stock market is taking a pummeling and many computer makers are feeling the pinch. Dell has been unable to hit its projected earnings due to a soft market while HP maintains it can meet quarterly projections. Apple has kept mum on the state of the economy and has turned significant profit growth for its latest quarter.
Yesterday, Apple reported its financials for Q4 fiscal 2008 that ended on September 27. Apple posted revenue of $7.9 billion and a net quarterly profit of $1.14 billion or $1.26 per diluted share. Comparing those numbers to the same period in 2007 when Apple reported revenue of $6.22 billion and a profit of $904 million for the quarter shows significant growth.
Apple’s gross margin for Q4 2008 was 34.7%, up from 33.6% in 2007. After removing cost of goods for iPhone and Apple TV over the products economic lives, adjusted sales for the quarter are $11.68 billion and adjusted income is $2.44 billion.
Apple says that it shipped 2,611,000 Mac computers during the quarter for a 21% growth in shipments over 2007. Cupertino says that it sold 11,052,000 iPods during Q4, which is an 8% growth compared to 2007. IPhone sales over Q4 are 6,892,000 compared to 1,119,000 in Q4 2007. That is a massive growth that can be attributed to the increased desirability of the iPhone 3G over the original iPhone.
Apple is now ahead of Smartphone maker RIM in units sold. Steve Jobs said in a statement, “Apple just reported one of the best quarters in its history, with a spectacular performance by the iPhone—we sold more phones than RIM. 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.”
Global Tech News reported in late September that Apple held 20% of the PC market in America. Apple says that 41% of its sales for Q4 came from international sales.