AMAZON.COM $247.49 (Nasdaq symbol AMZN; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (206-266-1000; www.amazon.com; Shares outstanding: 452.1 million; Market cap: $111.9 billion; No dividends paid) is now launching a new service, called Amazon Lending, which will offer loans to its online sellers.
This new service adds credit risk—the company will make loans of up to $800,000 to selected merchants—but the move should boost Amazon’s sales. That’s because the additional cash will let merchants stock more inventory to sell through the company’s websites, especially heading into the holiday season.
Amazon.com is still a hold.