This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6064602.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Apple profits soar on iPod demand Apple profits soar on iPod demand
(about 12 hours later)
Global demand for the iPod music player and other Apple products helped the technology firm boost profits by 27% to $546m (£292m) in the fourth quarter.Global demand for the iPod music player and other Apple products helped the technology firm boost profits by 27% to $546m (£292m) in the fourth quarter.
Apple Computer shipped more than eight and half million iPods for sale during the period, up 35% on a year ago.Apple Computer shipped more than eight and half million iPods for sale during the period, up 35% on a year ago.
Combined with strong sales of PCs and laptops, Apple's international sales now account for 40% of its turnover. It also saw the popularity of its computers soar - with sales of its desktop and laptop models hitting 1.6 million, a 30% rise on a year ago.
Chief executive Steve Jobs said the past year was one of "extraordinary" progress for the company. Chief executive Steve Jobs hailed a year of "extraordinary" progress.
'Exciting products''Exciting products'
Apple's international sales now account for 40% of its turnover.
The firm has sold more than 39 million digital music players and more than five million computers over the past year.The firm has sold more than 39 million digital music players and more than five million computers over the past year.
Total sales in three months to the end of September rose to $4.84bn from $3.68bn for the same period last year.Total sales in three months to the end of September rose to $4.84bn from $3.68bn for the same period last year.
Apple said it expected sales to shoot up to between $6bn and $6.2bn in the first quarter of next year.Apple said it expected sales to shoot up to between $6bn and $6.2bn in the first quarter of next year.
"Looking forward, 2007 is likely to be one of the most exciting new product years in Apple's history," Mr Jobs added."Looking forward, 2007 is likely to be one of the most exciting new product years in Apple's history," Mr Jobs added.
While the iPod has been Apple's biggest success story, the progress it is making with computer sales has not gone unnoticed.
In January, it began using Intel microprocessors in its machines, as it tried to get a bigger slice of the PC market.
It said that more than half of the 323,000 computers sold in Apple's retail stores during the third quarter of 2006 were to customers who had never owned a Mac before.
"We were thrilled by that," said Apple's chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer.