Amazon has reported net sales of $5.45 billion in the third quarter of 2009, an increase of 28% compared with $4.26 billion in the same quarter of 2008. Excluding an unfavorable impact of $41m from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, net sales would have grown 29% compared with third quarter 2008, the company said.
North America sales, representing the company’s US and Canadian sites, were $2.84 billion, up 23% compared to the third quarter of 2008. International sales, representing the company’s UK, German, Japanese, French and Chinese sites, were $2.61 billion, up 33% compared to the prior year quarter.
Operating income increased 62% to $251m in the third quarter, compared with $154m in the same quarter of 2008. Amazon said that excluding an unfavorable impact of $10m from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, operating income would have grown 69% compared with third quarter 2008.
For the quarter, net income increased 68% to $199m, or $0.45 per diluted share, compared with net income of $118m, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter.
For the fourth quarter of 2009, net sales are expected to be between $8.1 billion and $9.1 billion, or to grow between 21% and 36% compared with the fourth quarter of 2008. Operating income is expected to be between $300m and $425m, or to grow between 10% and 56% compared with the fourth quarter of 2008.
