Apple Reports Growth in All Businesses During Fiscal Q4

Apple on Thursday announced record growth across all of its major businesses, indicating to investors, analysts and the media that it generated $52.6 billion in revenue during the fiscal fourth-quarter ending September 30th. This is up 12 percent relative to the same quarter last year, and represents a sizable $2.07 (24 percent) surge in earnings per diluted share.

“We’re happy to report a very strong finish to a great fiscal 2017, with record fourth quarter revenue, year-over-year growth for all our product categories, and our best quarter ever for Services,” Apple’s CEO Tim Cook said. “With fantastic new products including iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, Apple Watch Series 3, and Apple TV 4K joining our product lineup, we’re looking forward to a great holiday season, and with the launch of iPhone X getting underway right now, we couldn’t be more excited as we begin to deliver our vision for the future with this stunning device.”

Apple Fiscal Q4 2017 Earnings Call Highlights

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus

While mum on actual sales figures, Cook noted that since its launch, his company’s new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus models have been its “most popular” yet, indicating that demand for the 8 Plus, in particular, has been the strongest of any Plus-sized iPhone to date.

Mac

Again, no actual sales figures here, but Cook insisted that Apple’s Mac business saw a 50 percent growth in adoption among Educational institutions — while growth in the consumer market was up 25 percent, year over year, thanks to the introduction of powerful new MacBook Pro and iMac models earlier this June.

iPad

Apple sold 10.3 million iPad models, marking an 11 percent growth year over year, and the company’s second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in its iPad business. Demand was split between its new budget-friendly iPad and its professional-grade iPad Pro.

Apple Watch

No sales figures, however Cook said Apple’s Wearables business is up 75 percent (making double-digit gains for the third consecutive quarter), while adding that it’s currently the best selling smartwatch in the world.

Retail

Some 418 million people visited one of Apple’s retail stores this quarter, Cook said, noting how the company added a number of strategic additions to its real estate portfolio including the new Michigan Avenue Apple Store located on Chicago’s south riverfront. Apple Stores also conducted 200,000 Today at Apple sessions during its fiscal Q4.

Services

Apple services including iCloud, iTunes, the App Stores and more, saw a year over year growth of 40 percent, Cook said, noting that momentum has been particularly strong in the Indian market, leading to a quarterly all-time high of $8.5 billion in services revenue.

For its upcoming, fiscal first-quarter of 2018 (the first which will reflect iPhone X sales figures), Apple is providing unprecedented revenue guidance of between $84 billion and $87 billion in revenue, supposing a corporate tax rate of 25.5 percent.