Amazon.com has announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30th 2019, with net sales up by nearly a quarter to $70 billion.
Operating cash flow increased 33% to $35.3 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $26.6 billion for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2018. Free cash flow increased to $23.5 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $15.4 billion for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2018.
Free cash flow less principal repayments of finance leases and financing obligations increased to $14.6 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $8.1 billion for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2018. Free cash flow less equipment finance leases and principal repayments of all other finance leases and financing obligations increased to $10.5 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $5.4 billion for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2018.
Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying stock-based awards totalled 511 million on September 30, 2019, compared with 507 million one year ago.
Net sales increased 24% to $70.0 billion in the third quarter, compared with $56.6 billion in third quarter 2018. Excluding the $500 million unfavourable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, net sales increased 25% compared with third quarter 2018.
Operating income decreased to $3.2 billion in the third quarter, compared with operating income of $3.7 billion in third quarter 2018.
Net income decreased to $2.1 billion in the third quarter, or $4.23 per diluted share, compared with net income of $2.9 billion, or $5.75 per diluted share, in third quarter 2018.
“We are ramping up to make our 25th holiday season the best ever for Prime customers — with millions of products available for free one-day delivery,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO. “Customers love the transition of Prime from two days to one day — they’ve already ordered billions of items with free one-day delivery this year. It’s a big investment, and it’s the right long-term decision for customers. And although it’s counter-intuitive, the fastest delivery speeds generate the least carbon emissions because these products ship from fulfilment centres very close to the customer — it simply becomes impractical to use air or long ground routes. Huge thanks to all the teams helping deliver for customers this holiday.”