Amazon's third quarter net profit reaches 199 million US dollars, increased by 68% compared to the previous year

Sina Technology News, Beijing Time, early morning of October 23rd, Amazon released its third quarter financial report for the fiscal year 2009. The report showed that Amazon's earnings per share were 45 cents, far exceeding analysts' expectations, driving its after-hours stock price to rise.

In the quarter ended September 30th, Amazon's net profit was $199 million, with earnings per share at 45 cents, better than the same period last year. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, Amazon's net profit was $118 million, with earnings per share at 27 cents. Amazon's operating profit in the third quarter was $251 million, a 62% increase from $154 million in the same period last year; net sales were $5.45 billion, up 28% from $4.26 billion in the same period last year. Excluding the impact of a $41 million exchange rate change, Amazon's net sales in the third quarter increased by 29% year-over-year.

Amazon's third-quarter performance exceeded analysts' expectations. A Thomson Reuters survey showed that analysts had previously expected Amazon's third-quarter earnings per share to be 33 cents, with net sales at $5.03 billion.

In July, Amazon forecasted that net sales for the third quarter of 2009 would be between $4.75 billion and $5.25 billion, increasing 11% to 23% year-over-year; operating profit would be between $120 million and $210 million, decreasing 36% to 22% year-over-year, including approximately $95 million in equity incentive expenses and intangible asset amortization expenses.

By region, Amazon's North America department (U.S., Canada) net sales in the third quarter were $2.843 billion, an increase of 23% from $2.302 billion in the same period last year; Amazon's international department (UK, Germany, France, Japan, China) net sales were $2.606 billion, an increase of 33% from $1.962 billion in the same period last year; excluding the impact of exchange rate changes, Amazon's international department net sales increased by 35% year-over-year.

By product category, Amazon's third-quarter sales from electronics and other general merchandise were $2.357 billion, an increase of 44% from $1.640 billion in the same period last year, increasing its proportion of total sales from 38% to 43%. Excluding the impact of exchange rate changes, Amazon's third-quarter sales from electronics and other general merchandise increased by 45% year-over-year. Amazon's third-quarter sales from media products were $2.929 billion, an increase of 17% from $2.494 billion in the same period last year. Excluding the impact of exchange rate changes, Amazon's third-quarter sales from media products increased by 18% year-over-year.

Amazon forecasts that net sales for the fourth quarter of 2009 will be between $8.125 billion and $9.125 billion, increasing 21% to 36% year-over-year, with Thomson Reuters analysts expecting on average $8.13 billion; operating profit will be between $300 million and $425 million, increasing 10% to 56% year-over-year, including approximately $100 million in equity incentive expenses and intangible asset amortization expenses.

On the day, Amazon's stock price rose $0.03 in regular trading on NASDAQ, closing at $93.45, with a gain of 0.03%. In subsequent post-market trading until 16:11 Eastern Time (4:11 AM Beijing Time on the 23rd), Amazon's stock price rose again by $8.75 to $101.91, with a gain of 9.36%. In the past 52 weeks, Amazon's highest price was $97.82, and its lowest price was $34.68. (Tang Feng)