Apple Reports Second Quarter Results

Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2004 second quarter which ended on March 27th, 2004. For the quarter, the Company posted a net profit of US$46 million (£25.7m*), or $0.12 per diluted share. These results compare to a net profit of US$14 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Revenue for the quarter was US$1.909 billion (£1.07bn*), up 29 percent from the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 27.8 percent, down from 28.3 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 43 percent of the quarter's revenue.

The quarter's results include an after-tax restructuring charge of US$7 million (£3.9m*). Excluding this charge, the Company's net profit for the quarter would have been US$53 million (£29.6m*), or $0.14 per diluted share.

Apple shipped 749,000 Macintosh units and 807,000 iPods during the quarter, representing a 5 percent increase in CPU units and a 909 percent increase in iPods over the year-ago quarter.

“Apple had a great quarter with 29 percent revenue growth and 200 percent earnings per share growth year-over-year”, said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. “We experienced growth in most areas of our business — most dramatically in selling a record 807,000 iPods, up more than 900 percent over the prior year”.

“We are very pleased with our third straight quarter of double-digit revenue growth”, said Fred Anderson, Apple's CFO. “More importantly our results demonstrate operating margin expansion. Our balance sheet remains very strong with about $4.6 billion in cash and no debt. Looking ahead to the third quarter of fiscal 2004, we expect our fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year double-digit growth in both revenue and earnings, with revenue of about $1.925 billion. We expect GAAP earnings per diluted share of $0.12 to $0.13, including approximately $0.02 per diluted share in restructuring charges”.

Non-GAAP Measures
The Company believes that presentation of results excluding items such as restructuring charges and investment gains provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that is indicative of the Company's core operating results.

This press release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's estimated revenue and earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2004. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ. Potential risks and uncertainties include continued competitive pressures in the marketplace; the effect competitive and economic factors and the Company's reaction to them may have on consumer and business buying decisions with respect to the Company's products; the ability of the Company to make timely delivery of new programmes, products and successful technological innovations to the marketplace; the continued availability of certain components and services essential to the Company's business currently obtained by the Company from sole or limited sources; possible disruption in commercial activities caused by terrorist activity and armed conflict, such as changes in logistics and security arrangements, and reduced end-user purchases relative to expectations; possible disruption in commercial activity as a result of major health concerns, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); risks associated with the Company's retail initiative including significant investment cost, uncertain consumer acceptance and potential impact on existing reseller relationships; the effect that the Company's dependency on manufacturing and logistics services provided by third-parties may have on the quality or quantity of products manufactured; the Company's reliance on the availability of third-party music content, and the ability of the Company to successfully evolve its operating system and attract sufficient Macintosh developers. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results is included from time to time in the Company's public reports filed with the SEC, including the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2003, the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27th, 2003, and the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 27th, 2004 to be filed with the SEC. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.

Press Contacts:
Apple UK and Ireland Public Relations
Email: media.uk@apple.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 8218 1440