Internet retailer Amazon.com last night reported a net third quarter profit of $15.7m, while pulling in better than expected revenues of $1.13 billion.
The biggest online retailer matched Wall Street estimates with a profit excluding special items amounting to 11 cents a share.
Net sales showed a 33% increase from the same period a year ago, with $29m from currency effects. Amazon swung back into profit following a net loss of $35m in the same period a year ago, and posted only its third quarterly net profit.
Amazon said it remained committed to free shipping offers to drive sales, and predicted a record holiday season.
'Thanks to free shipping and low prices, we expect more customers to turn to us for their holiday gifting needs this year - producing our biggest holiday shopping season ever,' said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder and chief executive.
The company currently offers free shipping on orders over $25 for US customers and similar offers at its British, German, French, Japanese and Canadian sites. But Amazon shares fell in after-hours trade, on disappointment that growth forecasts were not as strong as hoped.
