Apple just reported their fiscal year 2012 first quarter financials that ended on December 31, 2011, and the numbers are incredible to behold. Their results blasted past analysts predictions. In fact, they called this quarter the "Highest Quarterly Revenue and Earnings Ever" and the "All-Time Record iPhone, iPad and Mac Sales". Apparently, they had a record quarterly revenue of $46.33 billion and record quarterly net profit of $13.06 billion, or $13.87 per diluted share. To put it in perspective, this was compared to revenue of $26.74 billion and net quarterly profit of $6 billion, or $6.43 per diluted share, same quarter last year. Their gross margin was 44.7 percent compared to 38.5 from the same quarter last year.

Apple sold 37.04 million iPhones in the quarter, which was a 128 percent growth compared to the same quarter last year. They sold 15.43 million iPads during the quarter, a 111 percent unit increase, accordingly. Even Apple's venerable line of home computing devices, the MAC did exceptionally well, with a 26% increase in sales over the same quarter last year. The only Apple product that posted a decline was the iPod which saw a 21% decline from the same quarter last year. Here's a quote from Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, followed by a link to the full press release,

“We’re thrilled with our outstanding results and record-breaking sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs. Apple’s momentum is incredibly strong, and we have some amazing new products in the pipeline.”

What a juggernaut! The amazing technological marvel marches us inevitably toward a brighter future! I can't wait to see what "amazing new products" Tim Cook was referring to.

Source: Apple

44.7% gross margin is stunning. Heart stopping if your corporate name is Amazon. Then there's the $97.6 billion in cash. What to buy, what to buy?
AAPL breaks above $460 in extended hours.

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When any of your friends start bad mouthing Apple, just recommend they buy some Apple stock and in a few short years they will start loving Apple.

AAPL stock touches US $423.7 billion .. surpassing Exxon and briefly, was the worlds biggest company by market capitalization.
Goldman Sachs raises it's forecast 52 wk high for the stock from $550 to $600.

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That should read "market capitalization" of 423.7 billion. (not stock price)

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