When it comes to smartphones, Apple always aspires to have the best. And with its latest quarterly report, Apple has again put up a fantastic show. Apple on Tuesday (27th January) announced financial results for the first fiscal quarter of 2015, corresponding to the fourth calendar quarter of 2014. It reads to a rise in revenue generated of a staggering $74.6 billion and a record quarterly net profit of $18 billion or $3.06 per diluted share, as compared to $57.6 billion revenue and profit of $13.1 billion for the year-ago quarter. Apple has reported this to be highest revenue readings ever in its history.
Apple’s extraordinary results surprised the analysts who were expecting a good show down. All this resulted in the company’s stocks soaring. In extended trading, Apple’s shares were up by 5 percent reaching to $114.74 yesterday. Coming to gross margin, it was reported to be 39.9 percent; while it was 37.9 percent for the year ago quarter. International trade accounted for 65 percent of its total revenue. This comes out as a result of Apple launching its products in China with a bigger screen size model, the iPhone 6 Plus. And not much for a surprise, Apple’s largest regional sales come from Greater China area.
Sales of iPhone hit a new record of 74.5 million units during the quarter. Mac sales also remained strong with 5.5 million units sold, moving up from the 4.8 million units in the previous quarter. Although iPad sales hit a bump and were down to 21.4 million from 26 million. Below is a chart by MacRumors describing Apple revenue divided according to product category.
Apple also announced an upcoming dividend payment of $0.47 per share to shareholders of record as of February 9. Apple claims it to be payable on February 12. The company is currently said to hold $178 billion in cash and marketable securities.
Apple, alongwith the earning reports, claimed that the Apple Watch is on track and will hit the floors by March this year as expected. It also gave out guidance for its fiscal 2015 second quarter expecting about $55 billion in revenues and gross margin between 38.5 to 39.5 percent. So one can only expect Apple to grow stronger and expand more in China, which is claimed to be its Achilles heel.
The iPhone Help
The iPhone Help