Apple not crunched by recession

Apple has issued its first quarter sales and profit numbers. The better-than-expected results ($1.61 billion profit ; +1,8 % compared to last year) represent the best quarterly revenue and earnings in Apple's history.

The Cupertino company's revenue is over $10 billion ($10,17 to be precise, which beats the analysts' estimate of $9,74 billion). This is thanks to the rise in sales of Mac computers( +9%) and  iPods (+3%.) But the most spectacular increase came with the iPhone (+ 88% over the year). At the same time last year, the iPhone 3G had not be launched yet.

Tim Cook’s belief:"Apple is doing the best work in its history."

While Steve Jobs is on medical leave, Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook presented the results. "We believe we're on the face of this earth to make great products." Cook said.
Regarding the very competitive smartphone market, Apple said to be determined "to make the best phones". Not all share this view; according to Oppenheimer’s analyst Yair Reiner “iPhone was a little bit softer than I hoped, but people were braced for that.”

When asked about the competition, Tim Cook came close to a veiled threat: We like competition as long as they don’t rip off our intellectual property. And if they do, we will go after anyone who does." An oblique message to Palm which recently launched its Pre with a multi-touch interface? (Palm’s executive chairman is former Apple product chief Jon Rubinstein) "We are ready to suit up and go against anyone."

Shares up 10%

The company's shares rose up to $90.58 (after the fall following the announcement of health troubles of its chief executive, Steve Jobs). They are at a level that is almost the same before the CEO’s leave of absence. Peter Oppenheimer, Chief Financial Officer acknowledged that despite the good results, times are uncertain.