(By Balachander) Online retail giant Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) reported stronger-than-forecast quarterly earnings, helped by 34 percent jump in revenue, and its shares gained 9.2 percent in extended trading on Thursday.
EPS were 28 cents per share for the first quarter, down 36 percent from 44 cents a share in the year-ago quarter, yet coming in better than analysts' expectations of 7 cents.
Sales soared 34 percent to $13.2 billion, topping market expectations of $12.9 billion.
Operating expenses jumped 36 percent to $12.9 billion.
Sales at the company's North America segment surged 36 percent, and International segment sales soared 31 percent. Worldwide Media sales advanced 19 percent Electronics and other General Merchandise sales climbed 43 percent.
Looking ahead for the second quarter, the company guided sales between $11.9 billion and $13.3 billion, while analysts expect $12.82 billion. The forecast represents a growth between 20 percent and 34 percent from the year-ago period.
The stock, which has been trading between $166.97 and $246.71 over the past year, ended Thursday's regular trading at $195.99.