Web retailer Amazon.com Inc. said Tuesday that its third-quarter profit more than quadrupled, as shoppers around the world bought more books, music, electronics and other goods than they did a year ago.
Earnings for the quarter ended Sept. 30 skyrocketed to $80 million, or 19 cents per share, from $19 million, or 5 cents per share, during the same period last year.
Results beat Wall Street's expectations. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial forecast a profit of 18 cents per share.
Revenue climbed 41 percent to $3.26 billion from $2.31 billion in the year-ago quarter. Analysts predicted $3.14 billion in sales.
Amazon.com said sales on U.S. and Canada sites rose 42 percent in the quarter compared with a year ago, and international sales improved 40 percent.
Amazon increased its revenue forecast for the fiscal year to between $14.26 billion and $14.61 billion, from earlier guidance of $13.80 billion to $14.30 billion.