The world’s biggest technology company Apple earlier today announced financial results for its 2011 fourth quarter which ended on September 24, 2011. Apple reported quarterly revenue of $28.27 billion and quarterly net profit of $6.62 billion, or $7.05 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $20.34 billion and net quarterly profit of $4.31 billion, or $4.64 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

The gross margin has risen to be 40.3 percent in contrast to the 36.9 percent in the year-ago quarter. Undoubtedly the results demonstrate the best ever September quarter for Apple.

Dissecting the sales figures to various specifics, Mac sales in the quarter were 4.89 million; a 27% increase over the same period last year. iPads were 11.12 million and iPhones came in at 17.07 million, even the late arrival of iPhone 4S did not negatively affect the Q4 results.

There was some disappointment with the fourth quarter of the year, when no major new products were released. But analysts had been expecting iPhone sales of 20 million in the quarter.

“The numbers came in weak. They need to set records every time they report to keep up the momentum,” said Colin Gillis, analyst at BGC Partners.

For the full fiscal year 2011, revenues are $108 billion and earnings are $26 billion. Apple’s stock closed today at $422.24, and is currently down to $404.50 in after-hours trading.