Apple delivers a nearly perfect quarter, with a CEO change and an AI update ahead

apple delivered its best march quarter ever, with revenue up 17% to $111.2 billion — ahead of the $109.7 billion estimate. earnings per share jumped 22% to $2.01, also beating. the stock rose 4% in after-hours trading to around $282. tim cook announced he'll step down as ceo on sept 1, moving to executive chairman. incoming ceo john ternus called it "the most exciting time in my 25-year career at apple." cook said the business was performing well and the roadmap was incredible, and that ternus was the right leader. iphone sales hit a march quarter record at $56.99 billion, up nearly 22%. services revenue also hit an all-time high, growing just over 16%. the installed base of active devices crossed 2.5 billion. apple guided june quarter revenue growth of 14% to 17%, well above the 9% analysts expected. the board authorized another $100 billion buyback and a 4% dividend increase. cook confirmed a "more personalized siri" is coming this year, and apple has chosen google as its ai partner.