Apple logs another record quarter

Apple posted profits of $1.58bn on revenue of $9.6bn between October and December 2007

Apple has continued its record-breaking run with its best ever quarterly results.

The company racked up profits of $1.58bn on revenue of $9.6bn between October and December 2007. The figures represent a $580m jump in profits over the same period last year.

Leading the way once again was the Mac computer line. Apple shifted more than 2.3 million Macs over the quarter, showing 44 per cent growth over last year.

IPod sales were also strong. Apple sold 22 million players over the quarter, representing a five per cent gain over last year's numbers.

Apple logged more than 2.3 million iPhone sales over the quarter. Chief executive Steve Jobs told the Macworld Expo last week that more than four million iPhones had been sold at a rate of 20,000 a day since its release in June.

"We are thrilled to report our best quarter ever, with the highest revenue and earnings in Apple's history," said Jobs.

Jobs also highlighted the upcoming release of the MacBook Air and iTunes movie rentals, which he expects to help carry Apple to $6.8bn in revenue next quarter.

Wall Street, however, was anything but thrilled by Apple's predictions for the next quarter.

The forecast fell short of analyst expectations and sent the company's stock price down 11 per cent.