Apple has delivered better than expected earnings helped by strong sales of iPhones, boosting the sagging share price of the maker of the iPhone and iPad.
The profit of $US6.9 billion ($A7.50 billion) was down 22 per cent from a year ago. This translated to $7.47 per shares, well ahead of Wall Street expectations.
The California tech giant reported revenues of $US35.3 billion ($A38.37 billion) in the quarter ending June 30, helped by sales of 31.2 million iPhones, a record for the June quarter.
The quarterly data showed iPad sales disappointing however at 14.6 million compared with 17 million in the same period a year ago.
Apple shares jumped nearly five per cent in after-hours trade to $US439.70 ($A477.93), helping a stock which has tumbled from last year’s high above $700. 
“We are especially proud of our record June quarter iPhone sales of over 31 million and the strong growth in revenue from iTunes, software and services,” said Apple chief Tim Cook.
“We are really excited about the upcoming releases of iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks, and we are laser-focused and working hard on some amazing new products that we will introduce in the fall and across 2014.”
Apple is expected to roll out smartphones and tablets in the coming months with bigger screens in a move analysts say is an attempt to catch up with a trend set by its major rival Samsung.
Rumours of new Apple unveilings include an “iWatch” wrist computer, an improved Apple TV and lower-priced version of iPhone for developing markets such as China.
Apple generated $US7.8 billion ($A8.48 billion) in cash flow from operations in the recent quarter and paid stockholders $US18.8 billion ($A20.43 billion) through dividends and repurchasing shares, according to Apple chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer.
While Apple is still praised for its trend-setting devices, it has been losing market share in smartphones and tablets, mainly to companies using the Google Android operating system.
AFP
