Apple reported Tuesday that its net profit in the recently-ended quarter soared to $US6.62 billion ($A6.54 billion) as sales of iPad tablet computers nearly tripled.
The iconic California company said it had a record-high September quarter, taking in revenue of $US28.27 billion ($A27.93 billion) and selling 11.12 million iPads.
The enviable earnings didn't measure up to high expectations Wall Street had set for Apple and the company stock price slid nearly five per cent to $US401.28 in after-hours trading.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"We are thrilled with the very strong finish of an outstanding fiscal 2011, growing annual revenue to $108 billion and growing earnings to $26 billion," said Apple chief executive Tim Cook.
"Customer response to iPhone 4S has been fantastic, we have strong momentum going into the holiday season, and we remain really enthusiastic about our product pipeline."
Apple reported that it sold 11.12 million iPads in the quarter in a 166 per cent jump from the same period last year.
The company saw iPhone sales rise to 17.07 million and Macintosh computer sales climb to 4.89 million in 26 and 21 per cent increases, respectively, from the third fiscal quarter in 2010.
Analysts had expected iPhone sales to be stronger.
Sales of iPod MP3 players ebbed 27 per cent to 6.62 million in a predictable decline as people increasingly rely on smartphones for video and music.
