Macs and iPhones star performers for Apple in Q4

Tablet sales slump in the double digits year on year

A slump in iPad sales was not enough to spoil a fourth quarter for the record books for Apple, driven by strong sales of Macs and iPhones.

For the three months to 27 September, net profit at the global tech giant jumped 13 per cent annually to $8.5bn (£5.26bn) on sales which grew 12 per cent to $42.1bn over the same period.

Of Apple's revenue figure for Q4, the lion's share came from the Americas region, where sales rose 17 per cent annually to $16.2bn. Second-largest market Europe grew the fastest year on year – up 19 per cent to $9.5bn, but Asia-Pacific countries did not fare as well, with China and Japan's revenue creeping up just one and five per cent annually in Q4.

The vast majority of Apple's overall revenue in Q4 came from iPhones – the firm shipped more than 39,000 units in Q4, seeing revenue rise 21 per cent on last year to $23.7bn.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook said the iPhone figures were helped by the launch of its latest iPhone 6 range.

"Our fiscal 2014 was one for the record books, including the biggest iPhone launch ever with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus," he said.

Mac revenue was the second-fastest-growing segment within Apple in Q4, with sales up 18 per cent annually to $6.6bn.

On an earnings call transcribed by Seeking Alpha, Cook added that he was particularly pleased with the unit.

"We established an all-time quarterly record for Mac sales with revenue growing 18 per cent year over year, thanks in particular to the very strong performance of our portables," he said.

"We're especially proud of our Mac results considering the overall contraction of the global PC market this year and we achieved our highest quarterly market share since 1995."

Apple's software and services arm saw revenue climb eight per cent over the same period to $4.6bn, but its iPad business let the side down after sales fell 14 per cent annually to $5.3bn.

Apple's chief financial officer Luca Maestro said iPads are still enjoying success in the enterprise.

"iPad sales were consistent with our expectations and we experienced very strong results in Japan, where iPad sales were up 46 per cent year over year," he said.

"Customers continue to love their iPads. We continue to see some momentum in enterprise for iPad. Progressive IT organisations around the world continue to deploy, manage and develop amazing in-house apps for iPad."