E-tailer Amazon.com has announced its first billion-dollar quarter and its first profit as well. Today the company turned in its numbers for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2001.
Net sales for the quarter were US$1.12 billion, compared with $972 million for the same quarter in 2000. Pro forma operating profit was $59 million, $119 million better year over year. Pro forma net profit was $35 million, $125 million better than the same quarter last year.
For the full 2001 year, Amazon.com reported $3.12 billion in sales, a 13 percent jump over 2000. Operating losses declined for the year in several market segments. The company also reported that it has $1 billion in cash and marketable securities, as well.
The fourth quarter is Amazon.com’s biggest one, however, and the company doesn’t expect short-term to report new profits. Guidance for the current quarter call for net sales in the $775 to $825 million range, with pro forma net loss between break-even and $16 million.
The outlook isn’t all bad, however. For the full year, Amazon.com expects to see another 10 percent growth in net sales, positive operating cash flow and pro forma income from operations to be $30 million or more.
In related news, Amazon.com announced a new class of economy shipping, which it calls “Super Saver Shipping.” The new program offers free shipping to some orders over $99; the company noted this is not a seasonal or limited-time offer.