Here’s our Pick of the Month July 2008

Article Excerpt

AMAZON.COM $82.52 (Nasdaq symbol AMZN; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (206-266-1000; www.amazon.com; Shares outstanding: 417.7 million; Market cap: $34.5 billion) is the leading bookseller on the Internet (it offers 4.7 million titles), as well as a leading video and music seller. It also has numerous other store categories, including electronics, computer games, toys and tools. Through Amazon Services, the company also offers programs that let sellers market on its web sites. In the three months ended March 31, 2008, Amazon’s revenues rose 37.1%, to $4.1 billion from $3 billion. International sales comprised 48.6% of revenues and rose 44.2%, helped by stronger foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. North American sales made up 51.4% of the total, and rose 31.1%. Earnings rose 28.8%, to $143 million or $0.34 a share, from $111 million or $0.27. Amazon holds cash of $2.2 billion or $5.16 a share. One strong growth area for Amazon is a new device designed and manufactured by the company called the Kindle. It’s…