Apple sees profits beat forecast

Shipments of Mac computers rose 41% for the quarter

US technology giant Apple has seen profits beat forecasts, but warned that current quarter profits would fail to meet analysts' forecasts.

Profits rose to $1.07bn (�534m) in the fiscal third quarter, up 31% from $818m from a year earlier.

The company shipped 2.5 million Macs in the quarter, marking a rise of 41% year-on-year, while shipments of its iPod music player rose 12%.

The downbeat outlook sent shares 6% lower in after-hours trade.

While the results were ahead of expectations, and the firm said the number of Mac computers shipped marked a record, the warning of lower sales concerned investors.

Shares fell $10.40, or 6.3% to $155.89 after the bell, before rising $1.34 during the day.

Chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer said that even as the economy slowed, US sales increased quicker than total revenue.

"We�re proud to report the best June quarter for both revenue and earnings in Apple�s history,� said Steve Jobs, Apple�s chief executive in a statement.

"We set a new record for Mac sales, we think we have a real winner with our new iPhone 3G, and we�re busy finishing several more wonderful new products to launch in the coming months."

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