Just hours after announcing a dividend and stock repurchase program, Apple yesterday released a statement saying it had sold 3 million new iPads since the tablet launched on March 16. For reference, it took Apple 30 days to sell 3 million units of the original iPad.

“The new iPad is a blockbuster with three million sold ? the strongest iPad launch yet,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, in a statement. “Customers are loving the incredible new features of iPad, including the stunning Retina display, and we can’t wait to get it into the hands of even more customers around the world this Friday.”

The new iPad, which includes an LTE-capable model, is now available in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland, U.K. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Apple says it will be available in 24 more countries starting March 23.

Presales of the iPad went fast. The company sold out of its initial run of devices, moving shipment dates for many orders from March 16 to March 19.  

AT&T yesterday chimed in with a statement, saying it also had seen brisk sales of the new iPad. The carrier set a new single-day record for its iPad sales and activations.

Investors responded favorably to news of record iPad sales combined with Apple’s announcement of a long-awaited dividend. Shares of the company closed out at $601 but opened Tuesday down slightly at $597.