(AP) -- Software maker Adobe Systems Inc. posted higher net income for its most recent quarter, driven by strong demand for the software package it sells to professional designers and developers.

Adobe earned $148.6 million, or 28 cents per share, in the fiscal second quarter, which ended June 4. This is up 18 percent from $126.1 million, or 24 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier.

Adjusted earnings were 44 cents per share. On that basis, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected a profit of 42 cents per share.

The company's ongoing spat with Apple Inc. over Adobe's Flash technology, used for Web videos and other content, did not seem to soften demand for the latest version of its flagship Creative Suite . Apple bans Flash from the , the and the iPod Touch.

Adobe's revenue grew 34 percent to $943 million from $704.7 million, largely driven by strong demand for Creative Suite 5, which launched during the quarter, in April. This handily surpassed Wall Street's expectations of $905.9 million.

"Our growth is being fueled by the explosion of digital content across all media and devices," President and CEO Shantanu Narayen said in a statement.

For the current quarter, Adobe forecast adjusted earnings of 46 cents to 50 cents per share on revenue of $950 million to $1 billion. Analysts have been expecting a profit of 48 cents per share, excluding items, on revenue of $958.7 million.

Adobe also said it plans to buy back up to $1.6 billion of its shares by November 2012.

Shares of San Jose, Calif.-based Adobe fell 71 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $32 in after-hours trading. The stock had closed down 37 cents at $32.76.