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http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-profits-rise-94pc-11-213811159.html

Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL - news) 's latest profits smashed Wall Street's expectations as demand for the iPhone and iPad surged.
Profits in the first three months of the year reached $11.6bn (£7.2bn), 94pc higher than in the same quarter of last year and dwarfing the $9.4bn that analysts had forecast.
The iPad and the iPhone once again shone as Apple found new buyers of the gadgets across the world. iPhone sales soared 88pc to 35.1m, while those for the iPad more than doubled to 11.8m.
The results were enough to drive Apple shares 5pc higher in extended trading in New York (Frankfurt: A0DKRK - news) .
Analysts said the performance will go a long way to ease a cluster of concerns that had seen Apple's shares fall 12pc in the past fortnight.
"Apple blows through our projections," said Brian White, an analyst at Topeka Capital Markets. "Apple fever rocks on."
International sales accounted for 64pc of the $39.2bn of revenue that Apple (Xetra: 865985 - news) generated in the quarter, with chief executive Tim Cook describing the demand in China as "mind boggling". Chinese appetite for the iPhone - Apple's most profitable product - helped push the company's gross margin to 47.4pc in the quarter from 41.4pc a year earlier.
Long Apple's manufacturing base, China is now playing an increasingly central role as a source of demand as the country's middle-class expands. However, Mr Cook, who took over as chief executive from the company's co-founder, Steve Jobs, last August, sought to play down fears that Apple's iPhone may face increasing headwinds in the US.
Before the release of the results after the stock market's close, Apple's shares closed down 2pc at $560.28 as investors worried whether America's largest phone companies will continue to maintain the generous subsidies they provide to the iPhone.
"The vast majority of carriers want to provide what their customers want to buy," said Mr Cook. "iPhone is the best smartphone on the planet to entice a customer to upgrade from a regular phone to a smartphone."
Smartphones typically generate more revenue for phone companies over the course of a customer's contract.
At 7.7m, Apple sold more iPods in the quarter than forecast, but sales of Mac computers came in half a million shy of Wall Street's expectations of 4.5m.
The quarter saw Apple reduce the price of the iPad2 following the introduction of the new iPad in the middle of March. Mr Cook said that lowering the price of the older version of the iPad had seen a "marked change in demand" in certain countries but that it was too early to draw conclusions about future pricing.

I personally think its ridiculous a company can make so much profit £7.2 billion in 3 months, what do they need that much money for?
As a person who quite likes Apple products, I try and justify the pricing because I enjoy the product. As obviously so many people do, I suppose iPads aren't ridiculously priced compared to high end Samsung and HTC tablets, but iPhones are very expensive (contracts they all seem to be at least £10 cheaper than HTC, Samsung, Nokia etc high end phones). And the Macs are very expensive as well. Surely, making so much profit, they should be reducing their prices. When people have less and less money, countries in billions of debts, starving children in Africa and all that, how can individual companies justify making so much profit? Or am I overreacting?

Yes you're over reacting. if you need a refresher on Commie Pinko land please emigrate to North Korea.

I'd agree - but they charge what the market can stand, as do everyone else. Which means that prices (and profits) are high across the board.

Grakmar wrote:

What he said, in more polite fashion than I.

I know how it works, I just think its ridiculous that companies are allowed to operate that way. But I suppose if were all stupid enough to allow it to continue, nothings going to change...

Shows how popular the Cult of Apple has become.

Personally I hate apple products. But they are clearly doing something right.

deejaybainbridge wrote:Shows how popular the Cult of Apple has become.

Personally I hate apple products. But they are clearly doing something right.

This.
Apple are creepy...

rodgers37 wrote:I know how it works, I just think its ridiculous that companies are allowed to operate that way. But I suppose if were all stupid enough to allow it to continue, nothings going to change...

Why is it rediculous? Why is it stupid? Why have you not taken a basic economics course?

It's totally obvious, they're a front;

Either apple products are filled with heroin and they're actually the most successful drug ring on the planet,

Or they're trying to resurect a Great Old One

But they'll continue like that until the market goes Frack you, as do most companies, That quantitiy of money astounds me, you could probably drown a town if you converted that into notes.

rodgers37 wrote:I know how it works, I just think its ridiculous that companies are allowed to operate that way. But I suppose if were all stupid enough to allow it to continue, nothings going to change...

Exactly. As the consumers that purchase their products, we allow them to operate the way they do.


Demand for Apple products is a bit inelastic. Apple's marketing has done a good job of positioning the brand as the premium brand. Their high price is part of the marketing. If you want the best product, you go to Apple. After all, we all know that the more expensive a product is, the better it is!

Oh my god! A popular company is making money!

Sound the alarms! Man the weapons, men! Prepare to sink the idea of supply and demand!

Apple are a distortion of the market. For as long as people put rationality to one side and pay through the nose for a shiny sticker, these things will happen.

Frazzled wrote:

rodgers37 wrote:I know how it works, I just think its ridiculous that companies are allowed to operate that way. But I suppose if were all stupid enough to allow it to continue, nothings going to change...

Why is it rediculous? Why is it stupid? Why have you not taken a basic economics course?

Its ridiculous and stupid because a company that produces products (especially unnecessary ones) does not need that much profit, what are they going to do with it? How much of that goes back into developing new products? Obviously they should be making profit, they are a business, thats how it works but why does Apple need to make $11 billion profit in 3 months? All it means, is that the people who own the biggest % of shares in Apple get richer. they could half the price of their products. And still make a very decent profit.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Chowderhead wrote:Oh my god! A popular company is making money!

Sound the alarms! Man the weapons, men! Prepare to sink the idea of supply and demand!

Thats not really necessary... Why is it that so many people on the internet (a lot more than in actual real life conversations) have to resort to sarcasm? Is it something to do with Apples profit?

Frazzled wrote:

rodgers37 wrote:I know how it works, I just think its ridiculous that companies are allowed to operate that way. But I suppose if were all stupid enough to allow it to continue, nothings going to change...

Why is it rediculous? Why is it stupid? Why have you not taken a basic economics course?

It wouldn't be ridiculous if he had ten thousand shares in apple.

Envy seems to be the number one motivator for pinkos. I personally dont buy apple, but my brother does and I play with his I-pad and phone. They make good popular products, hence they can charge plenty, but people are willing to pay it, so bam, they make gak loads of money, thats the point in starting a business isnt it?

The Labour voting class-warrior types absolutely hate the wealthy for no apparent reason at all (All of them, even their kids. Like you choose to be born to wealthy parents) hate the Royals, hate the fat cats, hate the politicians even If you don't know who they are. Half of the haters of George Osbourne wouldn't be able to pick him out of a line-up.

It all boils down to good old fashioned envy. Like they would give it all away if they had the money! They would hoard it like a protoss mine drone in a mineral field. Why do they covet it so much then? Im not rich and you dont see me hating. Good luck to them.

Oh no hang on, I do hate. I hate my fellow lower class people.

I think it was Sid said, "I've met the man in the street, and he's a "

There was a news report I heard on the radio a week or so ago. It was about how...rome or romania where buying iphones in droves, but the country was suffering from massive poverty issues. People would buy iphones before they would pay rent, and all that. All because in whichever country it was, the inhabitants were big on image. Homeless people with iphones.

As long as there's people stupid enough to pay high prices, those prices will always stay high. Why would they want to drop prices and appeal to you when there's plenty of people in line waiting to throw down three or four times more money than you want to? The problem isn't the company, it's the people.

rodgers37 wrote:

Chowderhead wrote:Oh my god! A popular company is making money!

Sound the alarms! Man the weapons, men! Prepare to sink the idea of supply and demand!

Thats not really necessary... Why is it that so many people on the internet (a lot more than in actual real life conversations) have to resort to sarcasm? Is it something to do with Apples profit?

It's due to the fact that you hate a company because they make money in a capitalist economy. Which, may I add, is very daft. Very, very daft.

Its ridiculous and stupid because a company that produces products (especially unnecessary ones) does not need that much profit, what are they going to do with it? How much of that goes back into developing new products?

You’re right. Of course, its stupid that you have that thing you’re posting on. You don’t need that. You should send it to me instead.

Obviously they should be making profit, they are a business, thats how it works but why does Apple need to make $11 billion profit in 3 months?

They are going for the record. I’ve heard they intend to use their profits to restart the Gong Show. Have you seen the Gong Show? Would you like to know more about the Gong Show.

All it means, is that the people who own the biggest % of shares in Apple get richer. they could half the price of their products. And still make a very decent profit.

See mommies and daddies need money to support their sniveling little crybaby children so they invest in companies that make money and give that money to their investors. If it weren’t for Apple, millions of sniveling little brats who should be working for a living, would actually have to get off their butts and find gainful employment. Won’t you think of the children???

Thats not really necessary... Why is it that so many people on the internet (a lot more than in actual real life conversations) have to resort to sarcasm? Is it something to do with Apples profit?

Because in Real Life ™ there is such a thing as a stupid question.

rodgers37 wrote:Its ridiculous and stupid because a company that produces products (especially unnecessary ones) does not need that much profit, what are they going to do with it? How much of that goes back into developing new products? Obviously they should be making profit, they are a business, thats how it works but why does Apple need to make $11 billion profit in 3 months? All it means, is that the people who own the biggest % of shares in Apple get richer. they could half the price of their products. And still make a very decent profit.

What are they going to do with it? Primarily Apple has sat upon it. They only recently paid a dividend to shareholders. They are undoubtedly a cash-flush organization.

As to why Apple needs to make $11 billion in 3 months... ??? What else would you have them do? Their target demographic is fairly affluent and Apple products like iPhone/iPad are, imx, better than competitors' products. They took market share from RIM by being a lot better than Blackberry and basically invented the tablet market. Apple has continuously invented products that consumers didn't even know they wanted; ipods, phones that are basically computers, computers that are basically accessories. They have been successful because they've been innovative, even within an innovative industry. That's why they can make so much.

Seek to be like Apple, not to be entitled to Apple.

Chowderhead wrote:

rodgers37 wrote:

Chowderhead wrote:Oh my god! A popular company is making money!

Sound the alarms! Man the weapons, men! Prepare to sink the idea of supply and demand!

Thats not really necessary... Why is it that so many people on the internet (a lot more than in actual real life conversations) have to resort to sarcasm? Is it something to do with Apples profit?

It's due to the fact that you hate a company because they make money in a capitalist economy. Which, may I add, is very daft. Very, very daft.

I never said its ridiculous they make money, please find where I said that. Its the huge amount of money, when every country is in debt, there are so many people even in 'western civilisation' who are very poor, out of work, out of home. What are Apple, and the rich people with lots of shares, going to do with that much money? Ok its peoples fault for spending so much money on their products, but I thought the idea of business was to try and offer the best products and the best prices, to make a profit, not just make a good product at a ridiculous price. HTC and Samsung (for example) make phones just as good as the iPhone, and are much cheaper. When I got my last phone, a Sony Ericsson, there top model last May, new and it was £15 cheaper a month than the cheapest iPhone contract (which possibly also included paying for the phone as well).

I have no problem with companies making money. But £7/$11 billion in 3 months... if they even carry on at half that profit for the rest of the year thats another $15 million. Do the people with lots of shares, really need a their share of $26 billion?

There is obviously an order, some companies have more money, some people have more money. Why is it so wrong to question that? What is right about Apple having $11 billion in the bank after 3 months?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Thank you for all your sarcastic responses, what a fantastic bunch you are.
I didn't realise your not allowed to consider a company making more money than they could ever need is slightly wrong.

And I didn't say the products are stupid, I said unnecessary, Apple is an unnecessary company. None of their products do anything anyone needs that other cheaper and just as good products always do.


And Necroshea, referencing that news report, its right. I bought an iMac because I used one at Uni for editing, because they have loads of them. I then bought one because I could just about afford to. We all buy warhammer because we can just about afford to. But as soon as things are tight money wise, these are the things people sell. Its nice having big shiny things, and Apple know that.

I never said its ridiculous they make money, please find where I said that. Its the huge amount of money, when every country is in debt, there are so many people even in 'western civilisation' who are very poor, out of work, out of home.

And?

What are Apple, and the rich people with lots of shares, going to do with that much money?

I addressed that. Its so kids like you don’t have to get jobs and serve people like me my freaking burger and fries like previous generations.

Ok its peoples fault for spending so much money on their products, but I thought the idea of business was to try and offer the best products and the best prices, to make a profit, not just make a good product at a ridiculous price.

They do offer the best product at the best price, until someone else comes along and beats them. This is how it works. Again, economics is your friend. Read a book.

HTC and Samsung (for example) make phones just as good as the iPhone, and are much cheaper. When I got my last phone, a Sony Ericsson, there top model last May, new and it was £15 cheaper a month than the cheapest iPhone contract (which possibly also included paying for the phone as well).

Awesome for you. Welcome to free enterprise. Others prefer to purchase Apple. Why did you not send this money to the government to help reduce the national debt? What are you some kind of 1%er? After all every country is in debt, there are so many people even in western civilization who are very poor.

I have no problem with companies making money. But £7/$11 billion in 3 months... if they even carry on at half that profit for the rest of the year thats another $15 million. Do the people with lots of shares, really need a their share of $26 billion?

Yes, of course they do. Do you need your cell phone? Why? Don't you know the country is in debt?

There is obviously an order, some companies have more money, some people have more money. Why is it so wrong to question that?

Because it reveals ignorance of basic education.



Automatically Appended Next Post:

And Necroshea, referencing that news report, its right. I bought an iMac because I used one at Uni for editing, because they have loads of them. I then bought one because I could just about afford to.

Wait so you bought a Apple product and now you're whining about it?

As my Wife would say "quit being a and put on your big girl underpants."

If you hate capitolism... stop buying popular gadgets... if you don't... you're part of the problem

Does anyone NEED an iphone? NO... but its nice to have one....

Does anyone need an Ipad? HELL NO... but its nice to have one...

rodgers37 wrote:
And I didn't say the products are stupid, I said unnecessary, Apple is an unnecessary company. None of their products do anything anyone needs

Mate, how gak do you want our lives to be!?

NOTHING is necessary outside of food, water and shelter. Stop companies from making "unnecessary" gak, and life starts to suck.

We have good aulity of life, thus we spend spare cash on unnecessary things for fun. So what?

And the ones that make the "funnest" (Ironically it was Mr Jobs who invented that gak word) make the most cash.

Whats wrong with that? Is 40K, video games, and ice cream necessary?

Frazzled wrote:

I never said its ridiculous they make money, please find where I said that. Its the huge amount of money, when every country is in debt, there are so many people even in 'western civilisation' who are very poor, out of work, out of home.

And?

What are Apple, and the rich people with lots of shares, going to do with that much money?

I addressed that. Its so kids like you don’t have to get jobs and serve people like me my freaking burger and fries like previous generations.

Ok its peoples fault for spending so much money on their products, but I thought the idea of business was to try and offer the best products and the best prices, to make a profit, not just make a good product at a ridiculous price.

They do offer the best product at the best price, until someone else comes along and beats them. This is how it works. Again, economics is your friend. Read a book.

HTC and Samsung (for example) make phones just as good as the iPhone, and are much cheaper. When I got my last phone, a Sony Ericsson, there top model last May, new and it was £15 cheaper a month than the cheapest iPhone contract (which possibly also included paying for the phone as well).

Awesome for you. Welcome to free enterprise. Others prefer to purchase Apple. Why did you not send this money to the government to help reduce the national debt? What are you some kind of 1%er? After all every country is in debt, there are so many people even in western civilization who are very poor.

I have no problem with companies making money. But £7/$11 billion in 3 months... if they even carry on at half that profit for the rest of the year thats another $15 million. Do the people with lots of shares, really need a their share of $26 billion?

Yes, of course they do. Do you need your cell phone? Why? Don't you know the country is in debt?

There is obviously an order, some companies have more money, some people have more money. Why is it so wrong to question that?

Because it reveals ignorance of basic education.

Few things wrong with that, firstly 'Kids like me' NO that is so far from the truth, you don't have the first clue about me. My parents are not rich, the only reason I could afford an iMac and a £25 a month phone contract, is because my Grandad who had a management job with a removal company for a long time, had a good pension scheme and could afford to start savings accounts for me and my siblings, so when we turn 18 (so far only me) we get the money, which was a nice amount to have at that age, and then starting Uni, because my family is poor I get the maximum grant and loan available (plus fees paid), which I have to pay back when I get a job afterwards (and I had a job before Uni, and tried to get one last summer, haven't tried during term time because I like to go home as often as possible to watch Norwich, and pretty much any part time job I could get wouldn't allow me to do that).

And as for sending money to the government, thats not the peoples job. But big organisations, wether it be someone like Apple, or a bank. Should have a responsibility to help out. In a way I think its silly the amount of money I get for being at Uni, but then realistically its not that much, i'd get more working. And in fact I kind of wish I had just got a job after sixth form, and not bothered going to Uni. But its not all that easy, as I know from three of my friends experiences. I only got two interviews for part time jobs after applying for quite a few, and thats with 2 years retail experience, they had nothing.

And are you really comparing me having a mobile phone, to very rich people getting even more money?

Ignorance of basic education? Well sorry, I wasn't taught to accept rich people become more and more rich, while poor people become more and more poor. I hope you are one of these rich people, otherwise your opinions make no sense.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

mattyrm wrote:

rodgers37 wrote:
And I didn't say the products are stupid, I said unnecessary, Apple is an unnecessary company. None of their products do anything anyone needs

Mate, how gak do you want our lives to be!?

NOTHING is necessary outside of food, water and shelter. Stop companies from making "unnecessary" gak, and life starts to suck.

We have good aulity of life, thus we spend spare cash on unnecessary things for fun. So what?

And the ones that make the "funnest" (Ironically it was Mr Jobs who invented that gak word) make the most cash.

Whats wrong with that? Is 40K, video games, and ice cream necessary?

I think you got me slightly wrong, I just mean't that the products Apple provide, are essentially made in the same form (slightly different) by other companies, and these products are just as good, but much cheaper. You don't see WIndows complaining about having no money, or Samsung, or HTC, or anyone like that.


I really don't know if the point I was trying to make is coming across properly, since people seem to think i'm going against 'basic education' or fundamental economic rules, or banning unnecessary items. I just think, and surely this isn't too extreme, that $11 billion profit, for one company, in 3 months is a little excessive...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
And no Frazzled, i'm not whine about the product. Where did I moan or whine about the product?

Wow the ignorance is even higher than anticipated. So you're really saying you're bellyaching even though you're living off the taxpayer and your gramps. You have the nerve to blow them of dalliances like cell phones and IMACs?

In the words of the Immortal Bard: Have you no decency sir?

Sending money to the government is not the people's job? You've never paid taxes? You said you worked before. You're a liar and you never worked, ignorant (in not looking at your pay slips), or you worked in criminal activities in a cash only environment in which case I salute you.

EDIT I did peg it though, sounds like you're not out of high school yet.

And no Frazzled, i'm not whine about the product. Where did I moan or whine about the product?

No one said you did. You whined about the company, YET YOU BOUGHT THEIR STUFF!

Seriously you're just trolling now right? Please tell me you're just trolling.

frgsinwntr wrote:If you hate capitolism... stop buying popular gadgets... if you don't... you're part of the problem

Does anyone NEED an iphone? NO... but its nice to have one....

Does anyone need an Ipad? HELL NO... but its nice to have one...

I don't hate capitalism, I don't hate anything.

Why is it so ridiculous that I think one individual company gaining $11 billion in 3 months is slightly off? Especially after someone has said they just sit on their profit, and since i'm fairly sure they've pretty much always been making profit, they must have quite a bit of money in the bank...

Yeah I have friends who're on minimum wage and spending £40 a month on their iphone it's obscene.

rodgers37 wrote:

frgsinwntr wrote:If you hate capitolism... stop buying popular gadgets... if you don't... you're part of the problem

Does anyone NEED an iphone? NO... but its nice to have one....

Does anyone need an Ipad? HELL NO... but its nice to have one...

I don't hate capitalism, I don't hate anything.

Why is it so ridiculous that I think one individual company gaining $11 billion in 3 months is slightly off? Especially after someone has said they just sit on their profit, and since i'm fairly sure they've pretty much always been making profit, they must have quite a bit of money in the bank...

Its ridiculous WHEN YOU BOUGHT THIR STUFF.

rodgers37 wrote:
Few things wrong with that, firstly 'Kids like me' NO that is so far from the truth, you don't have the first clue about me. My parents are not rich, the only reason I could afford an iMac and a £25 a month phone contract, is because my Grandad who had a management job with a removal company for a long time, had a good pension scheme and could afford to start savings accounts for me and my siblings, so when we turn 18 (so far only me) we get the money, which was a nice amount to have at that age, and then starting Uni, because my family is poor I get the maximum grant and loan available (plus fees paid), which I have to pay back when I get a job afterwards (and I had a job before Uni, and tried to get one last summer, haven't tried during term time because I like to go home as often as possible to watch Norwich, and pretty much any part time job I could get wouldn't allow me to do that).

And as for sending money to the government, thats not the peoples job. But big organisations, wether it be someone like Apple, or a bank. Should have a responsibility to help out. In a way I think its silly the amount of money I get for being at Uni, but then realistically its not that much, i'd get more working. And in fact I kind of wish I had just got a job after sixth form, and not bothered going to Uni. But its not all that easy, as I know from three of my friends experiences. I only got two interviews for part time jobs after applying for quite a few, and thats with 2 years retail experience, they had nothing.

And are you really comparing me having a mobile phone, to very rich people getting even more money?

Ignorance of basic education? Well sorry, I wasn't taught to accept rich people become more and more rich, while poor people become more and more poor. I hope you are one of these rich people, otherwise your opinions make no sense.

Seriously, you must be trolling.

The big companies are paying taxes that make it possible for you to get your maximum grant and maximum fees paid. Incidentally I didn't go to University, and considering the primary person that benefits from said education is you (You will likely go on to earn more than me) I disagree with the tax payer forking out to pay for you. If you can afford your Leet Apple products, then you shouldn't have got a grant. Use Grandpa's money to pay for your education.

The system works. The big companies pay taxes and the taxes get spend on kids like you who can afford to buy apple and go to Uni, and "Not try" for a job because you like to watch Norwich!

I didnt go to Uni because I only had a gruff single parent Dad, so I started work at 15, joined the RM as a teenager and cracked on with my life but you don't see me whinging about it. If I never wind up going to Uni its cos I'm lazy and I enjoy my quality of life as is, nobody is to blame but me.

I mean, Ive always had a job, but I could have got a second job and paid for more essential things, but I like watching football instead so screw getting another job. I mean, they don't work two or three jobs in Africa because they like to watch football as well.

Basically, you ARE spoilt regardless of how you look at it. Most people in civilised nations are. Even I was a little spoiled, I always got a birthday present and an easter egg. Some people work 18 hours a day and push 3 jobs, but you have the luxury of not trying very hard because you like watching football...

Do me a favour.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Frazzled wrote:

Its ridiculous WHEN YOU BOUGHT THIR STUFF.

As I said.. I think he exists to wind us up.

Frazzled wrote:Wow the ignorance is even higher than anticipated. So you're really saying you're bellyaching even though you're living off the taxpayer and your gramps. You have the nerve to blow them of dalliances like cell phones and IMACs?

In the words of the Immortal Bard: Have you no decency sir?

Sendin money to the government is not the people's job? You've never paid taxes? You said you worked before. You're a liar and you never worked, ignorant (in not looking at your pay slips), or you worked in criminal activities in a cash only environment in which case I salute you.

Sending money in the way you suggested, instead of paying for my phone.

I had a part time job, working for my step-dad earning under the amount you have to earn to pay tax on your earnings. I don't have pay slips because I was paid in cash, but he has all the financial ins and outs done correctly and legally. I would love a job, like most people without a job i've applied for plenty, I wanted to go to University because I thought it would be beneficial, I couldn't do that and not have the financial support. I had not that large amount (£2-3000) from my Grandad half of which is still in savings until I learn to drive.

Your really over exaggerating everything I say, i'm not having some huge moan about capitalism, or rich people. Just that I think $11 billion profit for one company which could easily afford to lower the price (even by 1/4, it'd still be more expensive than everything else). I'm not ignorant, and I don't appreciate being insulted by people who don't have the first clue about me, my life or my family on the internet. I have not personally insulted you, and i'd really appreciate if you wouldn't me. I quite like this forum and I don't want it ruined because you have the idea stuck in your head that i'm ignorant. ANd you'll probably have a moan about that as well, saying i'm overacting, well maybe I am, but i've got my own reasons to, and your not going to change my basic personality.