Apple shares rose in after-market trading on Thursday after the company forecast higher sales than Wall Street expected, a sign the company expects iPhone sales to recover as it rolls out artificial intelligence features.

Sales of Apple iPhones dropped at the end of last year, as the tech firm's roll out of new artificial intelligence (AI) features was met with a lukewarm response. Chief executive Tim Cook said the new features helped to drive stronger sales in the countries where they were available, such as the US.

Apple stock lifted following guidance for the current quarter after the company reported a drop in ​iPhone and China sales. Overall revenue grew 4%.