PTI
New York, Jan 23: Bucking the global trend, IT giant Apple has crossed the 10 billion-dollar-mark of revenue in the quarter ended December -- the first time in history -- with its leading products, iPod and iPhone posting robust sales.
Apple's revenue rose to 10.17 billion dollar in the quarter under review from 9.61 billion dollar in the corresponding year-ago period, the company said in a statement.
The company's net income also increased by 1.89 per cent to record 1.61 billion dollar in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, from 1.58 billion dollar in the year-ago period.
"Even in these economically challenging times, we are incredibly pleased to report our best quarterly revenue and earnings in Apple history surpassing USD 10 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time ever," Apple chief executive officer Steve Jobs said.
The company sold a record number of iPods at 22.72 million during the quarter, representing a three per cent growth over the year-ago period, while, it posted 88 per cent jump in iPhone sales to 4.36 million units from the same period last fiscal.
Giving the guidance for the second quarter, the company said it expects revenue in the range of about USD 7.6 billion to USD 8 billion, while the diluted earnings per share are likely to be in the range of about USD 0.90 to USD one.
Apple's revenues in the quarter were also boosted by strong sales of Macintosh Computer's, growing nine per cent in the first quarter.
The company's international sales accounted for 46 per cent of the quarter's revenue, the statement added.
Recently, admitting serious health problems, Steve Jobs, the chief of the IT major has gone on medical leave for five months. In the past few months, rumours were rife that bad health might even force 53-year-old Jobs to retire.
Meanwhile, in his recent communication to Apple employees, Jobs had said that as chief executive he would remain involved in major strategic decisions.
In Jobs's absence, the company's chief operating officer Tim Cook has been taking care of the day-to-day operations.