iWorld
Apple posts strong Q3 earnings
MUMBAI: Apple has posted a strong result for the third quarter in contrast to other tech giants like Facebook, Twitter, Netflix etc. which disappointed investors in this quarter’s result. The company reported a higher-than-expected revenue for its third fiscal quarter beating analysts’ projection.
The California-based company posted quarterly revenue of $53.3 billion, an increase of 17 per cent from the year-ago quarter. Moreover, due to its brand reputation across the globe, international sales accounted for 60 per cent of the quarter’s revenue. Earnings per share grew by 40 per cent year-over-year while revenue grew by 17 per cent year-over-year.
“We’re thrilled to report Apple’s best June quarter ever, and our fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue growth,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said. “Our Q3 results were driven by continued strong sales of iPhone, services and wearables, and we are very excited about the products and services in our pipeline,” he added.
However, 41.3 million iPhones shipped during the third quarter is basically flat from the year-ago period and slightly below the projection of 41.8 million. The higher sale of premium phones made up the shortcoming. It ended up with an iPhone average selling price of $724 in the June quarter, while analysts were projecting $693.
Interestingly, Cook in the earnings call said Apple is seeing growth in video-streaming subscription services at about 100 per cent on a year-over-year basis. Oprah Winfrey’s ability to connect with audiences could beat thing for Apple’s own video content.
Apple Music now has upward of 50 million users who either pay for the service or are using a free trial. The music streaming service has become an increasingly important part of the company’s business. Cook also mentioned Apple’s service segment, which includes music streaming, boosted the Q3 result.
Now standing with a total market value of more than $ 900 billion, Apple is on the verge of becoming the world’s first trillion-dollar company. If the stock continues to rise aboveseven per cent, it could touch the record soon. Apple stock rose about four per cent in after-hours trading. The company forecast revenue between $60 billion and $62 billion for its fiscal 2018 fourth quarter.
e-commerce
Instamart gold dig event at Hussain Sagar goes viral
Hyderabad activation ties to gold price lock offer ahead of Akshaya Tritiya
MUMBAI: All that glitters isn’t just gold, it’s also great marketing. A quirky on-ground activation by Instamart at Hussain Sagar Lake has turned into a viral spectacle, with videos of people digging for gold coins flooding social media feeds this week. The campaign, executed in collaboration with Moms, transformed a patch of the city’s iconic lakefront into what online users quickly dubbed a “mini gold rush”. Armed with spades, participants dug through a mud-filled pit in search of hidden gold coins, an activity that drew crowds, cameras and plenty of commentary online, ranging from amused disbelief to outright fascination.
At the heart of the frenzy was a promotional push for Instamart’s ‘Gold Price Lock’ feature, which allows users to secure prevailing gold rates between April 10 and April 16 and complete their purchase later during Akshaya Tritiya, a period traditionally associated with high gold buying. The mechanic cleverly blended physical participation with digital conversion, turning curiosity into a potential transaction.
Branded as ‘Gold Diggers’, the activation leaned into gamified engagement. Those who struck lucky walked away with coins, those who didn’t were nudged with a simple message: lock the price now, buy later. The result was a steady stream of footfall and a surge in user-generated content, as onlookers and participants alike documented the spectacle.
The timing is significant. India remains one of the world’s largest consumers of gold, with demand peaking around Akshaya Tritiya. Data from the World Gold Council suggests the festival alone accounts for roughly 25–30 tonnes of gold purchases annually, making it a high-stakes window for brands looking to tap into consumer sentiment.
As the ‘Gold Price Lock’ feature remains live until April 16, the campaign has already done its job turning a simple product feature into a citywide moment. Because sometimes, the quickest way to get people talking about gold isn’t to sell it, it’s to make them dig for it.
