Apple announces $US8.2 billion fiscal fourth quarter profit despite weaker than expected sales

Apple has released its fiscal fourth quarter results, including quarterly profits of $8.2 billion, down from the $US8.8 billion the company recorded in the third quarter, but up significantly from $US6.62 billion for the same quarter in 2011.

The figures come off a revenue base of $US36 billion, compared to $US35 billion in the third quarter, and $US28.27 billion year-on-year.

Apple also reported the sale of 26.9 million iPhones during the quarter, up from 26 million iPhones Apple sold during the previous quarter, although according to TechCrunch the results did not meet analysts’ expectations. The company did not divulge how many of its phone sales were iPhone 5s.

The company also reported that its iPad sales were down this quarter at 14 million units, significantly less than the 17 million the company sold in the previous quarter.

The iPad sales result might have been caused, in part, by persistent rumours throughout the quarter that the company was planning to unveil a new seven-inch iPad. As SmartCompany reported, those rumours were confirmed earlier this week with the release of the iPad mini.