Japanese mobile phone operator Softbank doubled its profits in the third quarter largely on the strength of Apple's iPhone and iPad. Net income climbed to 65.9 billion yen ($724 million) in the quarter that ended in December, up from 32.8 billion yen ($357.5 billion) a year ago. Sales grew 7.1 percent to 923.7 billion yen ($10.1 billion). The company rose 2.7 percent to close at 3,260 yen ($35.53) before the earnings announcement.
