Profits rose to $770m (£384m) from $410m for the same period last year. The global success of its digital music player and strong demand for its MacBook computers helped Apple’s sales to soar from $4.3bn to $5.2bn. Separately, Apple’s board has publicly backed chief executive Steve Jobs amid an ongoing row over share options.
Vote of confidence
It said it had “complete confidence” in Mr Jobs’ integrity and leadership. The statement follows claims by Fred Anderson, Apple’s former chief financial officer, that he made Mr Jobs and other board members aware of his concerns about “backdated” share options awarded to bosses in 2001.
Source: BBC News UK