SAN FRANCISCO: Apple Computer Inc. said Wednesday its net income for the third quarter rose 48 per cent from a year ago helped by higher sales of its iPods and Intel-powered Macs.

The company said it earned $472 million for the three months ended July 1, which is up from $320 million in the corresponding previous year quarter. Gross margins recorded a rise of 30.3 per cent from 29.7 per cent, the company added.

Revenue rose 24 per cent to $4.37 billion, against $3.53 billion in the previous year quarter.

The results convinced investors as Apple shares rose 8 per cent in after-hour trading.

The company said it shipped 8.11 million iPods and 1.33 million Macintosh computers in the quarter, recording an increase of 32 per cent and 12 per cent respectively, year over year.

Chief executive Steve Jobs said the company is thrilled at the growth of its Mac business, especially that over 75 per cent of the Macs sold during the quarter used Intel processors.

The company has switched all of its PCs over to Intel chips, except for its high-end computers and servers.

Apple has forecast earnings per share of 46 cents to 48 cents in the fourth quarter on revenue in the range of $4.5 billion to $4.6 billion.

The company said it does not expect to restate any past financial results as part of an internal investigation into stock options granted between 1997 and 2001. The company had announced a voluntary investigation had brought out irregularities in grant of options to several senior executives, including to Jobs that was never exercised.

Apple’s shares rose $4.65 to $58.75 in extended trading after advancing $1.20 to $54.10 in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading. The shares are down 25 per cent this year.