Apple to Announce Q4 2010 Financial Results Set on October 18th

Apple today issued a media alert announcing details for next Monday's release of its financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and third calendar quarter of 2010. The results will be released after the close of Monday's trading at approximately 4:30 PM Eastern / 1:30 PM Pacific. Apple's conference call discussing the results will follow at 2:00 PM Pacific and will be available via a live audio webcast. MacRumors will provide running coverage of the conference call highlights.

Apple's fourth fiscal quarter saw several significant product introductions, particularly in its desktop line with the iMac and Mac Pro receiving updates in late July. The company also moved to revamp nearly its entire iPod lineup in early September. Finally, the quarter also saw significant movement with the iPhone 4 and iPad continuing to roll out to new markets and supply shortages for both devices beginning to ease as the quarter ended.

For the quarter, analysts are predicting net earnings of $4.03 per share on revenue of $18.76 billion, above Apple's guidance of $3.44 profit per share on $18 billion of revenue. Apple's year-ago results for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2009 initially included net earnings of $1.82 per share on revenue of $9.87 billion. Those calculations were based, however, on earlier accounting methods that utilized "subscription accounting" for iPhone and Apple TV revenue. Apple adopted revised accounting standards at the beginning of fiscal 2010, and after retrospective application (PDF) of the new standards, the year-ago quarter yielded net earnings of $2.77 per share on revenue of $12.21 billion.