Amazon Is Still a Leader

Article Excerpt

AMAZON.COM $35.84 (Nasdaq symbol AMZN; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (206-266-1000; www.amazon.com; Shares outstanding: 428.8 million; Market cap: $15.4 billion) reports that in the three months ended September 30, 2008, profits rose 47.5%, to $118 million or $0.28 a share from $80 million or $0.19 a share a year earlier. Revenues rose 30.7%, to $4.3 billion from $3.3 billion. Despite the improved results, Amazon has now lowered its 2008 sales forecast to between $18.5 billion and $19.5 billion, down from $19.4 billion to $20.1 billion previously. The company anticipates a weakening economy and slower consumer sales for the rest of this year at least. Amazon continues to win market share by lowering prices — and it has kept profit margins high with its heavy investments in cost-cutting infrastructure. We feel its long-term growth prospects remain strong. Amazon.com is still a buy. buy…