Apple Computer surprised Wall Street analysts by posting its third consecutive profitable quarter in a row: Apple made $75 million on sales of $1.4 billion. Apple's profit represents 50 cents a share, far higher than the 33 cents analysts were predicting. Apple's future financial health is dependent on its upcoming iMac computer, a stunning new Macintosh that will herald a new age of futuristic-looking machines from the company. Apple will follow the iMac with consumer portables and high-end G3 servers that will mimic the iMac look.
"We are ramping up as quickly as possible," said Apple CFO Fred Anderson.
Despite the recent spate of good news from Apple, investors are still wary of the mercurial company. Most investors have yet to move Apple from "hold" to "buy.
