Apple sees Q4 earnings below expectations

CUPERTINO, California: Apple Computer Inc Thursday said that its fourth quarter earnings would fall far short of expectations because of weak sales during September. Apple said it expects to report fourth quarter earnings of between 30 and 33 cents per diluted share, excluding investment gains, compared with the consensus analyst forecast for earnings of 45 cents per share.

It said revenues should come in between $1.85 and $1.9 billion for the quarter ending September 30. Apple Chief Financial Officer Fred Anderson said in a statement that the company experienced a business slowdown during September in all geographies. Education product sales were lower than expected, he said, and sales of the new Power Mac G4 cube are "off to a slower than expected start."

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