Apple posts record fall quarter sales of $114.48 billion

Apple had its best September quarter ever. The company reported $114.48 billion in revenue, up 12% from a year ago. That beat the $113.39 billion Wall Street analysts expected. Net income also rose 12%, to $30.7 billion.

What the numbers show

Apple set September quarter records for total revenue, iPhone revenue and earnings per share. That last figure is the profit the company earns for each share of its stock. Services revenue, which covers things like subscriptions and other paid offerings tied to Apple devices, also reached a new all-time high.

A new name on the report

This is the first earnings report with John Ternus in the spotlight. The material does not spell out his role or what it means for the company's direction, so it is too early to say whether anything will change.

Who it affects

• Apple stock owners, who get a sign the company is doing well.
• People who rely on iPhones and other Apple devices, since strong sales usually mean continued investment.
• Business owners who build apps or services on Apple's products.

What is not known yet

The material does not include a breakdown of sales by product or region, and it says nothing about what Apple expects for the coming months. It also does not explain how the market reacted. Those details usually come in the full earnings release and the company's call with investors.