Amazon.com 3Q sales up 41%

SEATTLE Amazon.com today announced that net sales for its third quarter ended Sept. 30 increased 41% to 43.26 billion, compared with $2.31 billion in third quarter 2006.

The company reported that net income increased 313% to $80 million in the third quarter, or 19 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $19 million, or 5 cents per diluted share in third quarter 2006.

Contributing to the company's results were its North American segment, with sales up 42% from third quarter 2006, as well the high demand for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the largest product release for Amazon.com.

Amazon.com said it expects net sales for the fourth quarter to be between $5.1 billion and $5.45 billion, or to grow between 28% and 37% compared with fourth quarter 2006. Operating income is expected to be between $221 million and $291 million, or grow between 12% and 48% compared with fourth quarter 2006.

The company expects net sales to be between $14.26 billion and $14.61 billion, or to grow between 33% and 36% compared with 2006. Operating income is expected to be between $605 million and $675 million, or grow between 56% and 74% compared with 2006.