Kindle sales boost Amazon profits

Amazon expects sales and profits to rise again in the current quarter

Online retailer Amazon reported strong profits between July and September - partly thanks to its most popular item, the Kindle electronic reader.

Amazon reported a net profit of $199m (£119.6m) in the period up 62% on the same period a year earlier.

And it said Thanksgiving and Christmas sales may smash expectations - sending its shares 8% higher.

Analysts said the results suggested consumers were comfortable spending with the online retailer.

Overall sales climbed 28% percent to $5.45bn.

And the company said its Kindle electronic book reader had become its single best-selling item in terms of units and dollars.

"Broadly speaking, investors are going to be heartened that consumers are still spending and retail is showing growth and rebounding," said Colin Gillis, analyst ay Brigantine Advisors.

"It's a strong September quarter. I think everyone was expecting a strong result but it came in better than everyone was expecting."