Apple (AAPL) meets revenue estimates, but the China region remains weak

Apple Inc.approaching the most critical sales period of the year sparked new concerns about sales growth and continued weakness in a fiercely competitive Chinese market.

Following the company's quarterly earnings reportApple said total sales would rise by a percentage in the low to mid-single digits in the December period. Analysts had forecast a 7% increase. The company also reported a decline in sales in China last quarter, falling short of estimates.