Strong sales growth and the popularity of its Amazon Prime offering helped send Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) earnings more than 250% higher on a year-over-year basis. In its second quarter, the online retailer founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 posted net income of $78 million, or 19 cents per share. Revenue was 35% higher at $2.89 billion, up from $2.14 billion in the year-ago period. According to the latest estimates reported by Thomson First Call, analysts were expecting earnings per share of 16 cents from Amazon on revenue of $2.81 billion. According to the company's press release, North American sales grew by 38% in the latest quarter, while International sales were up 31%. Mr. Bezos noted in the release that the firm's "strong revenue growth ... was fueled by low prices and the added convenience of Amazon Prime," a feature that provides unlimited two-day shipping for an annual fee of $79.
With Amazon.com, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AMZN) 
Google's plan for netbook PCs moves higher into the clouds
Closing Bell: Stock bulls and dollar death (DDRX,GMCR, PEET, SBUX, EBAY, CI, TECD)
So long peak oil, here comes peak uranium
