News Summary: Amazon posts lower 4Q net income
News Summary: Amazon posts lower 4Q net income, revenue misses estimates but stock climbs
In this Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012 photo, amazon shipments are packaged in Koblenz, Germany. Amazon’s fourth-quarter net income fell 45 percent, as sharply higher revenue failed to keep pace with increased spending on order fulfillment and digital content, a trend that’s become the norm for the world’s largest online retailer. (AP Photo/dapd, Harald Tittel)
PROFIT DOWN: Amazon's fourth-quarter net income fell 45 percent, as sharply higher revenue failed to keep pace with more spending on order fulfillment, digital content and other investments.
MISSED EXPECTATIONS: The company earned 21 cents per share, while revenue grew 22 percent to $21.27 billion from $17.43 billion. Analysts expected earnings of 28 cents per share on revenue of $22.26 billion.
STOCK SOARS: Profit margins improved, and Seattle-based Amazon's shares rose $24, or 9.2 percent, to $284.35 in after-hours trading. The stock closed down $15.69, or 5.7 percent, at $260.35.
