Why all this

After Apple’s impressive first quarter results 2012, I started looking for a handy overview of the long-term development that has led to the current state. I couldn’t find one so I decided to make one myself. Enjoy!

How to use it

Toggle the visibility of data series
By clicking on a legend item you can toggle its visibility. The chart is highly customizable to fit your needs.
Zoom in on a specific region
By clicking and dragging you can zoom in on a particular time frame you’re interested in.
Compare financial performances
To show Apple’s position in the industry, I added financial metrics of other big players.
Download the chart
Export the chart in the data format you need. Use it for your next presentation or article (CC BY 3.0 license).

Spread the word

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Side notes

  • I use Apple’s updated figures from the amended accounting principles. For all other companies I also use the appropriate amended, updated figures.
  • The iPod was released in Q1/02 but Apple declared unit sales and revenues only since Q4/02. Thus the first three quarters are based on reconstructed values. However they should be pretty accurate.
  • “Software” and “Peripherals” revenues were listed separately only since Q1/01. For convenience I halved revenues before Q1/01 for those items.

Credits

This box is for hire

… and on fire! My offer: exclusive space for your ad. What’s your offer? Mail me (also for more information).

Glossary

Average Selling Price (ASP)
ASP is computed by dividing revenues by unit sales.
Operating income
Operating income is computed by subtracting cost of sales and operating expenses from revenues.
Year-over-year change
Year-over-year change shows change over the corresponding time period of the previous year.
Quarters
  • First quarter: September through December
  • Second quarter: December through March
  • Third quarter: March through June
  • Fourth quarter: June through September

Changelog

  • Added Apple’s Q2/12 results.
  • Added Dell’s Q4/12 results.
  • Added IBM’s Q1/12 results.
  • Added Microsoft’s Q3/12 results.
  • Chart settings now collapsed by default.
  • Put radio buttons for x-axis time view at the bottom.
  • New website design and layout.
  • Extended data series by 3 years (1999 to 2001).
  • Added ability to easily switch between quarterly and yearly x-axis time view.
  • Added data sets “Revenues by operating segment”, “Cost and operating expenses”, “Operating income” and “Cash and marketable securities”.
  • Added “percentage of revenues” information for many data sets.
  • Added financial metrics of three big players in the industry (IBM, Dell, and HP).
  • Fixed errors and wrong numbers in data sets.
  • Added Google’s Q1/12 results.
  • Initial release.