Income, profits, share price, sales of iPhone devices and iPad tablets reached new highs in the last three months. Apple consolidated its leadership in IT by the spectacular results that we saw in the second quarter of this year.
Consumer enthusiasm at the launch of iPad 2 and the success enjoyed by the iPhone were reflected in the spectacular financial results of Apple between April and June. U.S. company’s revenue in this period amounted to 28.57 billion dollars (representing an absolute record in terms of quarterly profit) of which $7.31 billion is net profit. Therefore, the company earnings have increased by 125% over the same period last year.
Most impressive was the advance registered the sales of iPad tablets, which rose by 183% from the previous quarter, reaching 9.25 million units sold.
Sales of iPhones were up by 142%, reaching 20.34 million units.
The success of the iPhone surprised analysts, who previously announced that these gadgets will have a difficult quarter due to fierce competition from Asian producers Samsung and HTC.
In addition, for the first time since the launch of smartphones (in 2007), Apple has not released a new iPhone in June, and experts predicted that this will affect sales. Tim Cook, Apple’s director of operations, said that the high sales were due to growth in emerging markets such as China, South America, Brazil and the Middle East. Investors reacted immediately to these figures, and the price for Apple shares has exceeded for the first time $400.
Steve Jobs, forced to leave?
So far, the company’s success was attributed largely to founder Steve Jobs, who is also the CEO. Jobs is on sick leave since winter and the rumors about his health are increasing. Timothy (Tim) Cook has informally took over his duties. Now, some Apple executives are increasingly talking about finding a new CEO, says The Wall Street Journal, citing company sources. According to them, some board members have already spoken to specialists dealing with recruiting executives and with at least one chief of another technology giant.
Same sources say that the talks have not been official, but were rather informative to examine the options the company has if they decide to replace Jobs. Apple founder ignore the rumors, saying that they are unfounded. Unofficially, his most likely successor at the helm of Apple is Tim Cook.